Applications
People use phenylalanine for a disorder that causes white patches to develop on the skin (vitiligo). It is also used for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), chronic pain, aging skin, depression, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
 
Description
L-phenylalanine is an essential amino acid. It is the only form of phenylalanine found in proteins. D-phenylalanine is not an essential amino acid, and its role in the body is not currently understood. DL-phenylalanine is made in a lab.
 
Preparation
The preparation of d,l-phenylalanine via amidocarbonylation of benzyl chloride with acetamide and CO/H2 is described. The rate of the reaction is dependent upon the CO pressure below 250 bar, but independent of the hydrogen pressure. A reaction temperature of 100 °C gives optimum yields.
 
Chemical Properties
L-Phenylalanine is an essential aromatic amino acid with notable involvement in protein synthesis, neurotransmitter production, and the biosynthesis of various important molecules in the body.
 
Definition
L-Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid, a precursor to tyrosine, and a vital component in protein synthesis, with implications for neurotransmitter production and various biological processes in the human body.