The Determination of Protonation Constants of Some Amino Acids and Their Esters by Potentiometry in Different Media

Abstract

In this study, stoichiometric protonation constants of L-tyrosine, L-cysteine, L-tryptophane, L-lysine, and L-histidine, and their methyl and ethyl esters in water and ethanol–water mixtures of 30, 50, and 70% ethanol (v/v), were determined potentiometrically using a combined pH electrode system calibrated as the concentration of hydrogen ion. Titrations were performed at 25∘C and the ionic strength of the medium was maintained at 0.10 mol⋅L−1 using sodium chloride. Protonation constants were calculated by using the BEST computer program. The effect of solvent composition on the protonation constants is discussed. The log10 K2 values of esters generally decreased with increasing ethanol content. However, the log10 K1 values of the esters of L-tyrosine, L-cysteine, and L-tryptophane were found to increase with increasing ethanol content in contrast those of L-lysine and L-histidine esters.