An insight into the mechanism of the murexide reaction
Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City (CDMX), Mexico
Research Article
World Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2026, 08(01), 001-004.
Article DOI: 10.53346/wjcps.2026.8.1.0014
Publication history:
Received on 04 January 2026; revised on 14 February 2026; accepted on 16 February 2026
Abstract:
The mechanism of the murexide reaction has been revised and updated. The formation of the compounds necessary in the synthesis of purpuric acid, as well of other substances that intervene in this process has been examined. The mechanism of oxidation and hydrolysis of uric acid that leads to 5-aminobarbituric acid (uramil) is correct. A direct route for alloxan from uric acid has been added. This is important because there is not consumption of uramil, and besides, reveals the origin of urea. Thus, the route from uramil, although correct, can be replaced. The formation of urea coming from the uracil ring can be discarded because would yield 5 carboxy-hydantoin and hydantoin, and these compounds are not formed in a strong acidic medium. Finally, the two routes leading to dialuric acid are all right
Keywords:
Alloxan; Dialuric acid; Murexide; Purpuric acid; Uramil; Urea; Uric acid
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Copyright © 2026 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0