Ammonia → L-Aspartic Acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

In a 250 ml reagent bottle, an amount of 69 ml (0.11 mole) of a 10% solution of concentrated ammonium hydroxide (15.9 M) was slowly added with smooth stirring to 9.8 g (0.1 mole) of maleic anhydride in 18 ml (1 mole) of water at 60° C. The bottle was capped and the solution allowed to react for 2 hours. The anhydride converted to maleic acid in the presence of the water, and the ammonia added across the double bond of maleic acid to form aspartic acid.

Provenance & Evidence