Anthranilic acid

Anthranilic acid (or o-amino-benzoic acid) is an aromatic acid with the formula C₆H₄(NH₂)(CO₂H). The molecule consists of a substituted benzene ring, hence is classed as aromatic, with two adjacent, or "ortho-" functional groups, a carboxylic acid and an amine. The compound is consequently amphoteric. In appearance, anthranilic acid is a white solid when pure, although commercial samples may appear yellow. It is sometimes referred to as vitamin L₁ and has a sweetish taste. The anion [C₆H₄(NH₂)(CO₂)]⁻, obtained by the deprotonation of anthranilic acid, is called anthranilate.

Structure

Although not usually referred to as such, it is an amino acid. Solid anthranilic acid consists of both the amino-carboxylic acid and the zwitterionic ammonium carboxylate forms.

Production

Many routes to anthranilic acid have been described. Industrially it is produced from phthalic anhydride, beginning with amination:

The resulting sodium salt of phthalamic acid is decarbonylated via a Hofmann rearrangement of the amide group, induced by hypochlorite:

Vitamin L

"Vitamin L" is a song by the American pop rock band B.E. Taylor Group. It is the fifth track on the band's second studio album, Love Won the Fight, and also the third single pulled from that album. In a departure of the norm of B. E. Taylor singing lead vocals, Joey d'Amico sings lead on this track. It also heavily uses synthesizers and a brass sections as the main instruments. The guitar's role is minimized to a steady strumming pattern with sustained power chords in the chorus. The lyrics tell the story of a man whose medical condition can only be treated with an unstable drug, called Vitamin L, that reacts "when boy meets girl". In the last verse it is revealed the drug was, in fact, love, and the man is cured of his ailment when he falls in love with a woman.

This song is the B. E. Taylor Group's most popular song, as it peaked at #66 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1984 and stayed on the chart for 8 weeks. The song also spawned a popular music video that scored heavy airplay on MTV. B. E. and Rick Witkowsi are featured as the doctor and pharmacist in the video, respectively. The song also is a near constant at live performances.