On the Mechanism of the Murexide Reaction

Francisco Sánchez-Viesca^1, and Reina Gómez¹

¹Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemistry, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City (CDMX), Mexico

Cite this paper:
Francisco Sánchez-Viesca and Reina Gómez. On the Mechanism of the Murexide Reaction. World Journal of Organic Chemistry. 2019; 7(1):14-18. doi: 10.12691/wjoc-7-1-3

Abstract

The murexide test used for identification of uric acid is mentioned in many laboratory texts. It consists in the degradative oxidation of uric acid by means of nitric acid and then a combination to yield a two ring product, purpuric acid. This gives a purple colour on addition of ammonia. From the chemical structure of the final product, various compounds are known to intervene for its obtention. However, the course of their formation during the degradation-oxidation process has not been cleared up. Thus, a mechanistic approach has been provided, step by step, in order to clarify the reaction sequence until the end product. Other compounds also formed are treated too. The study is based on well known reactivities and experimental observations.

Keywords:
alloxan alloxantin dialuric acid nitramines parabanic acid purpuric acid uramil uric acid

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