Systemes de strecker et apparentes—XI : Formation et stabilité de l'α-carboxyaminonitrile.Intermédiaire essentiel dans la synthèse des hydantoïnes selon bucherer-bergs

The determination of the structure of the intermediate in the Bucherer-Bergs reaction (the transformation in aqueous solution of an aldehyde into the corresponding amino-acid via the hydantoin) showed that this reaction involved the formation of α-aminonitrile carbamate. The slow formation of the carbonic anhydride from the carbonate buffer limited the formation of that main intermediate which was in equilibrium with the α-aminonitrile. The variation of the stability of the carbamate vs pH is mainly determined by the concentration of CO₂ dissolved in the mixture, but also by the equilibrated formation of products formed by the degradation of α-aminonitrile, i.e. the aminodinitrile and the cyanohydrin.