The Oxidation of the Amino-Acids. I. Glycocoll and Cystin

Considering the importance of the subject comparatively few quantitative data are available concerning the action of oxidizing agents on the amino-acids; it has therefore seemed worth while to investigate the changes produced by the action of potassium permanganate on two of the most widely distributed of the aliphatic amino-acids, viz., glycocoll and cystin.The oxidation of glycocoll with potassium permanganate has previously been investigated by Engel,' by Drechse12 and by Hal-sey3 who by carrying out the reaction in the presence of an excess of ammonia noted the production of oxamic, oxalic and carbonic acids.By boiling gelatin with a solution of calcium permanganate Kutscher and Schenck4 obtained large quantities of oxamic acid and a small amount of oxamid, both of which bodies they consider to be derived from the glycocoll fraction of the gelatin. OXIDATIONOF GLYCOCOLL WITH ALKALINE POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE.2.4 grams of Kahlbaum's glycocoll dissolved in 100 cc. of water were treated with 300 cc. of a solution containing 45 grams of potassium hydrate (30.0 molecules) and 71.3 grams of potassium permanganate.The mixture was contained in a flask provided with 1