The reaction of DL-glyceraldehyde with ammonia

Abstract

DL-Glyceraldehyde rapidly browns at 37° in ammoniacal solution with the concurrent formation of a number of carbohydrates and imidazolic compounds. Dihydroxyacetone, glucose, fructose, mannose, aldopentoses, 4(5)-methylimidazole, 4(5)-hydroxymethylimidazole, 4(5)-(2-hydroxyethyl)imidazole and 2-hydroxymethyl-4(5)-methylimidazole have been identified. The rates of formation of the imidazoles have been studied.