GLYCINE OLIGOMERIZATION ON SILICA AND ALUMINA

Oligomerization of glycine (gly) and diglycine (gly(2)) on silica and alumina was observed in experiments simulating wetting-drying cycles a t 80 degrees C. Glycine produces less than 1% total yield of gly(2) an d diketopiperazine (DKP) after one week. In experiments starting from gly(2), more than 10% DKP is formed. Formation of higher oligomers (gl y(3)-gly(6)) proceeded as well, with 3.8% and 5.1% total yields on sil ica and alumina surfaces respectively.