Chapter 15 - Aliphatic Nitro- and Amino-monocarboxylic Acids and Related Compounds

Abstract

This chapter focuses on aliphatic monocarboxylic acids that contain a substituent grouping with nitrogen, linked singly and directly with carbon β-Nitropropionic acid is the only member of this group, which is known to occur naturally. Amino acids are carboxylic-fatty acids with one hydrogen atom of the alkyl group replaced by an amino group. The most important and accordingly most studied compounds are the α-amino acids, in which the amino group is attached to the same carbon atom as the carboxylic acid group. The preparation and synthesis of amino acids are discussed in addition to their general properties and constitution. There are a number of N-substituted amino acids that are of interest from a biological point of view, among these are the N-phosphoryl derivatives, obtained by treating an amino acid with dibenzyl phosphochloridate or a derivative. A large number of cyclic derivatives of amino acids have been prepared, which involve both the amino and carboxyl groups. These cyclic compounds have a number of useful applications, including the preparation of amino acids, and also the preparation and degradation of peptides.