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Abstract:
The thermal polycondensation of amino acids common to protein is promoted at 80 degrees C by pyrosulfuric acid. This is in contrast to the noncondensation at 100 degrees C in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid. These results are in accord with an anhydride mechanism, as proposed earlier for copolycondensation promoted by polyphosphoric acid. The amino acid composition, molecular weight, near-homogeneity, are infrared absorption of the polymer formed are described. The potential significance of planetary pyrosulfuric acid is discussed.