Preparation of a Zinc Monocysteine Compound

Abstract

Both zinc and the amino acid cysteine play important roles in biological function, including antioxidant protection and tissue repair. We attempted to prepare a (1:l) zinc‐cysteine complex using L‐cysteine and zinc metal. Zinc metal was added to a solution of L‐cysteine and refluxed with constant stirring. The product was selected by filtration and, after evaporation precipitation, was subjected to elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, and mass spectroscopy. The novel compound has one molecule of zinc conjugated to one molecule of cysteine.

Keywords:

• Cysteine
• zinc
• zinc monocysteine