( -^76 ) 



mstructed Dr. Frif.dmann to prepare both by a metliod leading- to 

 pure products, in order to end the present uncertaintv. 



The «-aminopropionie acid (commercial alanine) was converted in 

 the usual manner into the hydrochloric methyl ester, which melted 

 at 158°. By the action of silver oxide or a([ueous caustic soda, in 

 presence of ether, the free nicfhiil ester was prepared, Avhich is very 

 volatile, and under a pressure of 15 m.m. passes over between 38° 

 and 41° as a colourless liquid (spec. gr. 13,5° =i 1,0309), which 

 however, after some days changes into a solid mass (alanine aidiy- 

 dride), presumably owing to the interaction of the two functions — 

 amine and organic ester. A nitrogen determination in the liquid 

 gave ligures corresponding with those required by the amino ester 

 CH3.CHNH.,.CO,CH3. The amino ester was mixed with a saturated 

 methylalcoholic ammonia and left to itself for a few days. A distilla- 

 tion at 35° at a |)ressiire of 20 nun. removed die ammonia and alcohol 

 and left as residue a colourless oily liquid of a strongly alkaline 

 reaction which is but little soluble in elliei- and benzene and solidi- 

 ties in a dessiceator. After being recrystallised from alcohol, the 

 substance on analysis appeared to be pui-e. It crystallises in needles, 

 is very soluble in alcohol, very hygroscopic and melts at 62°. On 

 prolonged heating annnonia is set free and alanine anliA'dride is 

 formed, as was indeed to be expected. The a-tinin/opro/ifuinc <niu(/e 

 CH3 CH NH., . (H) . NH., gives also a well-crystallised conq>ound with 

 hydrogen chloride, a tine crystallised orange-red chloroplatinate, which 

 is readily soluble in watei-, but little so in alcohol, and a bright 

 yellow picrate, little soluble in water, which on being recrystallised 

 from alcohol melts at 199°. Thus we have sufficiently characterized 

 this amide for the present. It seems to be decomposed ali-eady at 

 ordinary- tenqjerature in an exsiccator. 



The /?-aminopropionic acid was prepared but with a slight modification, 

 according to Hoogewkkfi' and Van Dokp from succinimide ^). Like the 

 «-compound it was converted into the hydrochloric methyl ester, 

 which melts at 95°. 



From this was prepared in the manner described abo\'e the free 

 [i-aminojjropionic methi/l ester, Avhich under 18 m.m. pressure distills 

 at 57~ — 59° as a colourless liquid and is pure as follows from analysis. 

 After a few hours it is decomposed with formation of crystals. Hy 

 direct treatment Avith methylalcoholic ammoJiia the amide was at 

 first obtained as an oily licjuid, which was purified by repeated 



') Tliis Ava? simply prepared lifce many oilier amide; (wlien they and their 

 acids can resist a fairly high temperature) l)y heating the acid in a current of 

 ammonia until nu more water is expelled. 



