KozLWOSKi : Primary Synthesis of Proteids 53 



The remainders of the first equation R.OH and 7?^0H are poorer 

 in nitrogen than protein. It is the type of disaggregation of 



proteids in animals. 



If the nitrous acid will act on such a molecule, it will split at 



the junction of the nitrogen atoms w^ith the group C^02, as was the 

 case in the above quoted reaction with oxamide and nitrous acid ; 

 but if the reaction proceeds very slowly the nitrogen will not be set 

 free. Keeping the analogy with the above given reaction of NHO 

 and the glycocol we can represent the supposed process as fol- 

 lows : 



Protein. 

 DTT "Vr Oxalic acid. 



^IIX^^A + 2HX0,= CA(IIO), + 2U,0 



F 



Diazotic compounds. 



.N N 



N ^N 



2 



In other words each of the radicals /v and R^ losing one atom 

 of hydrogen (which is used for the production of water with the 

 oxygen of the nitrous acid) and developing to a new value of 

 affinity, combines wnth the now formed diazo group (— iV= N— 



This ought to represent the transformation of the proteids in 

 plants, \v'hich, as we know, do not lose their nitrogen. 



The known fact that the secondary and the tertiary amides 

 of the aromatic scries do not give diazotic compounds with 

 nitrous acid,* cannot be quoted against the possibility of the sup- 

 posed reaction. For (i) The diazotic compounds of the fat series 

 differ much from those of the aromatic one as well in their consti- 

 tution as in their properties, and (2) As we know very little about 

 them the argument based upon the ignorance of such a reaction 

 loses its strength. Then, wq must remember that the reaction to 

 which the production of diazotic compounds is due, belongs to 

 those in which all is dependent upon the conditions of action of 

 the agents ; we are, indeed, encouraged to suppose that the subtle- 

 ness of the transition in plants surpasses even the most delicate 

 chemical operations in our laboratories that we can imagine. 



*From the secondaries nitroso-amides are obtained ; die tertiaries give compounds 

 M-ith a nitroso group (NO) on the benzolic nucleus (Confr. T-adenburg, llandworter- 



buch der Chemie, 3 : 194)- 



