ACID-BASE EQUILIBRIA AND DECOMPOSITION OF SECONDARY (N-CL)-ALPHA-AMINO ACIDS

the decomposition of(N-Cl)-Sarcosine, (N-Cl),(N-Me)-Alanine, (N-Cl)-Pr oline, (N-Cl),(N-Me)-Valine, and (N-Cl)-2-piperidine carboxylic acid ( Pipecolic acid) was studied under acid conditions. The results suggest the participation of the four possible species of the (N-Cl)-alpha-am ino acid. A reaction mechanism is proposed which allows us to estimate the rate constant for the decomposition of each species, as well as t he yet unknown macroscopic, microscopic and tautomeric equilibrum cons tants. The relation between the different rate and equilibrium constan ts is also analyzed.