The reaction between 5'-deoxypyridoxa
l and g
lycine in D
2O buffered at pD 7.0 does not resu
lt in significant formation of the expected products of pyridoxa
l-cata
lyzed transamination or deuterium exchange of the
![](/images/gifchars/a<font color=)
lpha.gif" BORDER=0>-amino protons of g
lycine, but rather gives a
quantitative yie
ld of the two diastereomeric products of the forma
l C
laisen-type addition of g
lycine to 5'-deoxypyridoxa
l. The unexpected extensive formation of these products ref
lects the extraordinary se
lectivity of the 5'-deoxypyridoxa
l-stabi
lized g
lycine eno
late toward addition to the carbony
l group of 5'-deoxypyridoxa
l in the protic so
lvent water.