Summary
We have extended earlier experiments on the radiolysis of DL-tryptophan using32Pβ-radiation to longer reaction times, observing complete destruction of the tryptophan by secondary, non-radiolytic processes. We have also undertaken the irradiation of DL-leucine with32Pβ's at -196°, achieving radiolyses to the extents of ca. 20–30%, but observing no concomittant asymmetric bias. The implications of these observations are discussed with regard to the Vester-Ulbricht mechanism for the origin of optical activity.
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Blair, N.E., Bonner, W.A. The radiolysis of tryptophan and leucine with32Pβ-radiation. J Mol Evol 15, 21–28 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01732580
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01732580