Action of Heat on Amino Acids

Action of Heat on α-Amino Acids

α-Amino acids undergo dehydration on heating at 200° C to give diketopiperazine.

Action of Heat on β-Amino Acids

β-Amino acids lose ammonia on heating to form α,β-unsaturated acids.

Action of Heat on γ- and δ-Amino Acids

γ- and δ-Amino acids undergo intramolecular dehydration on heating to form cyclic amides called lactam.