Ionization Constants of DL-2-Aminobutyric Acid and DL-Norvaline Under Hydrothermal Conditions by UV–Visible Spectroscopy

Abstract

The first and second ionization constants for the amino acids DL-2-aminobutyric acid (DL-2-aminobutanoic acid) and DL-norvaline (DL-2-aminopentanoic acid) were determined under hydrothermal conditions, from 175 to 275 °C at 10 MPa, using thermally-stable colorimetric pH indicators (acridine, 4-nitrophenol and 2-naphthoic acid). The measurements were carried out by UV–visible spectroscopy using a high-temperature, high-pressure platinum flow cell with sapphire windows, which minimized the effects of thermal decomposition. The results were combined with literature values from titration calorimetry at 25–130 °C to yield an extended van’t Hoff model for the temperature dependence of the ionization constants for the carboxylic acid and ammonium groups, \( K_{\text{a,COOH}} \) and \( K_{{{\text{a,NH}}_{3}^{ + } }} \), over the entire temperature range. The experimental results for the second ionization constant \( K_{{{\text{a,NH}}_{3}^{ + } }} \) at elevated temperatures are consistent with the predictions from the Yezdimer–Sedlbauer–Wood functional group additivity model, but for the first ionization constant \( K_{\text{a,COOH}} \) are not. This suggests that the group contribution parameters for the standard partial molar heat capacity of the carboxylic acid group are in error, or that nearest neighbor interactions between the –COOH and \( - {\text{NH}}_{3}^{ + } \) groups cause a breakdown in the functional group additivity relationship.