The electrochemical preparation of glycine

Abstract Glycine can be made by electro‐reduction of glyoxylic oxime which may either be used as the starting material, or be prepared in situ by reaction of glyoxylic acid with hydroxylamine. These two compounds are made in the same cell by electro‐reduction of oxalic acid and nitric acid. Thus when glycine is made from glyoxylic oxime prepared in situ , three reductions take place at the same electrode. This process, which gives a good yield of glycine, is discussed, and an account is given of the experimental technique and analytical methods used. The current efficiencies for the three reductions appear to be adversely affected when they are carried out simultaneously and at the same electrode.