Study of synthetic routes to vitamins b1 and b6, dihydrosphingosine, tryptamine, and uridine based on the Dakin-West reaction

1. On the basis of biochemical analogies the participation of the Dakin-West reaction is proposed in the biogenesis of those natural compounds whose molecules can be built up from anα-amino ketone grouping. 2. In order to study this amino ketone principle of synthesis of molecules of natural compounds in the examples vitamins B1 and B6, dihydrosphingosine, tryptamine, and uridine the Dakin-West reaction ofα-N-benzoylalanine was carried out with the acid chlorides ofβ-ethoxypropionic,β-phthalimidopropionic, and palmitic acid, the reaction of N-acetyl-N-phenylacetic acid withβ-phthalimidopropionoyl chloride, and uracil-1-acetic acid with acetyl chloride.