Intermolecular compounds of amino acids and sulfoxides and method of preparing same

A process for separation or purification of a saturated aliphatic amino acid of the empirical formula C.sub.n H.sub.2n-1 (NH.sub.2)(CO.sub.2 H)(SO.sub.3 H), wherein n is a small whole number no greater than about 4, said process comprising:

• admixing the amino acid with a di-loweralkyl sulfoxide in which each alkyl group contains up to about 6 carbon atoms and each alkyl group may be the same or different and may be bonded together to form a ring structure and in which the amino acid has a solubility of about 4 grams or more per 100 ml. of the sulfoxide at a temperature of about 25.degree. C. to obtain a solution;
• precipitating the intermolecular compound containing the amino acid and sulfoxide in a 1:1 molar ratio from the excess sulfoxide, and
• liberating the amino acid from the intermolecular compound.

A process for forming an intermolecular compound containing a saturated aliphatic amino acid of the empirical formula C.sub.n H.sub.2n-1 (NH.sub.2)(CO.sub.2 H)(SO.sub.3), wherein n is a small whole number no greater than about 4, and a di-loweralkyl sulfoxide in which each alkyl group contains up to about 6 carbon atoms and each alkyl group may be the same or different and may be bonded together to form a ring structure at a molar ratio of sulfoxide to amino acid ranging from about 0.2:1 to 1:1, said sulfoxide being one in which the amino acid is soluble to the extent of about 4 grams or more per 100 ml. of sulfoxide, said process comprising:

• contacting the amino acid with the di-loweralkyl sulfoxide at a temperature of about 25.degree. C., and
• separating said intermolecular compound from said sulfoxide.