52 KozLOWSKi ; Primary Synthesis of Proteids 



Oxainide. Oxalic acid. 



CA <NH + " ^™^^' = CA(OH), + 4N + 4HP 



But, if we act cautiously with hyponitrous acid upon the glycocol 

 (the amido-acctic acid) w^e obtain at first the ether of that acid and 

 of the glycocol, wdiich afterwards yielding w^ater gives the diazo- 

 acctic acid, as shown by the equation 



Ether of glycocol and nitrous acid. Diazo-acetic acid. "M" 



C,H,.C02.CH2.NH^.NO,H = C,H,.CO,.CH<f || + 2Up 



\ 



N 



We have seen that the chemical functions of the proteids compel 

 us to admit the group 



CA<K 



as the basis of the molecule of these bodies. It is simply the oxa- 

 mide group, introduced in one of the above given equations. Each 

 of the two atoms of nitrogen has in that group two free units of 

 affinity. If wc denote Avith 7v and R^ two univalent radicals con- 



r 



taining C, H, O, N and S, wt can represent a molecule of protein 



as follows ; 





A molecule of such structure can give according, to the re- 

 agents which w^ill act upon it, either carbamide or oxalic acid. 



By hydrolysis it will be split at the places of junction of the 

 radicals R and R^ with the atoms of nitrogen, and the result will 

 be as follows : 



Protein. 



i?.HN. 



Oxamide. 



ILN 



the oxamide then gives as known by oxydation carbonic anhydride 

 and carbamide 



Oxamide. Carbamide. 



H N NH 



