N Reactivity vs. O reactivity in aqueous chlorination

Nitrogenated compounds react with hypochlorous acid yielding N-chloro compounds. In principle, α-amino acids chlorination may take place on the oxygen of the carboxylic group or on the nitrogen of the amino group. In this framework, we discuss the different reactivities of nitrogen and oxygen towards chlorine, and come to the conclusion that the nitrogen is the preferred reaction site in α-amino acids chlorination. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.