Note on the action of acetylating agents on amino-acids

Abstract

IN connexion with the development of a new method for the isolation of carbohydrate from protein hydrolysates [Neuberger, 1938] it became necessary to study certain aspects of the reactions of amino-acids and related compounds with pyridine-acetic anhydride and ketene.

Specific Group Reagents for Proteins.

“…This was in agreement with the known reactivity of ketene (309). Other authors have generally assumed that the aliphatic hydroxyl groups of proteins are not acetylated on the basis of model experiments with glucosamine ( 27), the carbohydrate constituent of egg albumin (247), and hydroxyglutamic acid (248). However, it has lately been found possible to acetylate by prolonged ketenization some of the hydroxyl groups of sericin and polyvinyl alcohol (114; cf.…”

Thiol Esters and Ethers of Cysteine**School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison

“…The only thiol ester of cysteine known to have been reported is N,S-diacetylcysteine (6). In order to prepare thiol esters of cysteine without acylating the nitrogen, it was first necessary to block the amino group.…”