Abstract
If the methylene group in position 4 of an amino acid chain is substituted with thioether, sulfoxide or sulfone, the nucleophilic nature of the amino group ([beta] position to substituent in position 4) is decreased. In the corresponding cyclic compounds, the effect is twice as great. In the same order an increase in the acidity of the [alpa] -CH-grouping of the amino acid has to be assumed. The apparent acid dissociation constants of the ammonium groups of 21 amino acids, and the apparent stability constants of the copper(II)-complexes of 11 amino acids are reported.