A Fundamental Study of Quantitative Desulfurization of Sulfur Containing Amino Acids by Raney Nickel and its Character

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Abstract
The desulfurization of several naturally occurring sulfur-containing amino acids by Raney nickel was studied under various conditions. Raney nickel, which was prepared by treating Al-Ni alloy with 5 N NaOH at 60 °C for 30 min, and was not washed with water, was most active and desulfurized, in quantitative yield, methionine, homocysteine, homocystine, homocysteine sulfinic acid, S-(2-carboxy-n-propyl)-L-cysteine, cysteine, cystine, cysteine sulfinic acid and S-methylcysteine sulfoxide. Raney nickel prepared from 100 mg of Al-Ni alloy desulfurized quantitatively up to 40 μmol methionine at 60 °C for 30 min. The desulfurization occurred effectively in the pH range of 7 and 13, but not below 7. Methionine sulfone, cysteic acid, and homocysteic acid were not subject to the reaction. The Raney nickel was deactivated by H2S, and H2O2, or combustion. Desulfurization activity was not enhanced by hydrogen gas.

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