[magdi_gamal]

I have this on my school textbook..
NH₂-CH₂-COOH + HCl  NH₂-CH₂-COCl + H₂O

I don't get it, can someone please explain the mechanism of this reaction to me?
Isn't Hydrogen Chloride an acid, so why is it not reacting with the basic amine group instead of the carboxylic acid, making something like COOH-CH2-NH3⁺Cl^-?

[discodermolide]

You are correct, it reacts with the amino group to give gylcine hydrochloride.

[zsinger]

Hydrochloride salt for sure!!!!!!

[stanleyykk]

Usually if you want to make that OH go away and make it Cl my prof told us to use SOCl2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thionyl_chloride

Maybe your textbook have a typo

[zsinger]

Many other reagents, including oxalyl chloride will also suffice.
          -Zack

[stanleyykk]

Yours DMF is so much better. CO2 and CO gas, nothing left behind. Just learned something new, thanks