An operational approach to <i>N</i>‐Cl‐α‐amino acids decomposition

Abstract

Abstract It has been usually thought that the rate of N ‐Cl‐α‐amino acids decomposition changes and that their coefficient of molar absorptivity falls when pH &lt; 5, which has been explained on the basis of a hypothetical process of protonation at the N ‐Cl‐amino group. We have proved: (i) the absence of protonation at the N ‐Cl‐amino group, at least when pH &gt; 2−; (ii) the effect of the method of mixing on the reaction rate; (iii) the absolute necessity of a very careful choice of buffers and solvents; and (iv) the need to check the accuracy of the mathematical model to describe the chemical processes. © 1993 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Inc.