Phenylalanine reflux in 5N NaOH soln; byproducts?

pelnicki · Sun Sep 04, 2005 12:51 am

I recall reading that millipedes and some lactic acid bacteria metabolically convert phenylalanine to benzaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide as a defense mechanism (!) and, also remembering that cyanides often accompany benzaldehyde in other natural sources, I became concerned about byproducts formed when decomposing phenylalanine to benzaldehyde.

Fume hood or no, I'd prefer daydreams to remain free of colourless, odorless, lethal gasses wherevery practicably possible.

I tried balancing the stoichometrical equation as a rather pathetic gesture of scholarliness, and deduced that byproducts could indeed possibly be HCN, CO2 and H2O.

Alternatively, acetamide could be a byproduct (that also balances quite nicely).

Does anyone have any advice? SWIP doesn't want to kill any dust mites that inhabit her university's fume hood, they're such cute little guys and she's even named one of them Stuart!

Luvvin,
Pel

java · Consumer

The reaction of reducing phenylalanine to benzaldehyde is pretty much straight forward according to the litereature available. If you're concern about the vapors given off just vent it off into some water to scrubb the gases and later you can neutralize acidic water wotj NaOH and dispose of it........there is a thread either here or at WD where a member did the reduction , find it and post you question there to the member as to the resulting fumes and what was done with them.....java

pelnicki · Tue Sep 06, 2005 6:01 am

Thanks for your help Java; will move my question + any followup posts to a thread elsewhere, although I believe you're right that the post-reflux fumes shouldn't cause any planet shattering concerns for the wellbeing and livelihood of any cute'n'cuddly amoeba colonies livin'it up in "Fume Hood Exhaustville", 90210

Dankeshein Monsieur Java bee, reading your posts is always such a pleasure!