iminozuur

Iminozuur is a term used in Dutch to describe a class of organic compounds derived from amino acids in which the amino group has formed an imine (Schiff base) with a carbonyl compound. The result is a molecule that still contains the carboxyl group of the amino acid and an imine function at the α-carbon, generally represented as HOOC-CH=N-R, where R comes from the carbonyl partner. These species are commonly referred to as imino acids or Schiff-base derivatives of amino acids.

Formation and stability: Iminozuurs are typically prepared by condensing an amino acid with an aldehyde or ketone under dehydrating conditions. In aqueous solution the reaction is reversible, and the imine can hydrolyze back to the original amino acid and carbonyl compound; imines are usually more stable under neutral to mildly basic conditions and tend to hydrolyze under strongly acidic or basic conditions.

Chemical properties and reactivity: The imine carbon is electrophilic, enabling further reactions such as nucleophilic additions or metal coordination if the imine nitrogen bears electron-donating substituents. Imino acids can undergo hydrolysis to reproduce the starting amino acid and carbonyl compound.

Applications and context: In organic synthesis and biochemistry, Schiff-base derivatives of amino acids serve as intermediates and ligands. In proteomics and materials science, imino derivatives are used to derivatize amino groups for tracking or binding studies.

Terminology: The Dutch term reflects the imine-containing structure, and in English the term “imino acid” or “Schiff-base derivative of an amino acid” is used.