Walden Inversions Involving the Isomeric 2, 3-Butanediamines and Related Compounds. The Preparations of Specific Adsorbents. The Role of Peroxides in Mutagenesis

It has been demonstrated that the reaction of ammonia with 1,2-dimethylethyleneimine is attended by a single Walden inversion and that the analogous reaction of ammonia with 2,3-epoxybutane very probably proceeds in the same way. This result and other evidence have been used to assign configurations to the 3-amino-2-butanols and to draw certain conclusions about the courses of reactions in which they are involved. The theory that adsorbents formed in the presence of foreign substances will acquire, as a result of this method of formation, specific affinities for such foreign substances has been proposed. Its validity in a particular system involving silica gel and certain azo dyes has been demonstrated. The hypothesis that x-rays, ultra-violet light, and various compounds related to mustard gas produce gene mutations through the intermediate formation of peroxides has been investigated by testing the effects of various organic peroxides on mutation rates. Several of these compounds have proved to be effective for the induction of mutations and a continuation of these studies would hold promise of uncovering fundamental information about the nature of the mutation process.