Conversion of Glycine to Oxalate in Presence of CuSO4⋅5H2O and Isonicotinamide

The reaction of CuSO 4 ⋅5H 2 O with glycine and 4-cyanopyridine in aqueous alkaline medium resulted in polymeric complex [Cu(ox) 2 (isn) 2 ]·(CONH 2 ) 2 ] n ( 1 ) (where ox is oxalate, isn is isonicotinamide). Complex 1 has been studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal structure reveals that complex 1 is a polymeric structure bridged by oxalate ions. Glycine has been oxidized to oxalate during the course of the reaction along with the in-situ hydrolysis of 4-cyanopyridine to isonicotinamide resulting in complex 1 . Complex 1 was further characterized by molar conductance, UV-Vis and FT-IR spectroscopic techniques. The conversion of glycine to oxalate occurs spontaneously in aqueous solution under ambient conditions.