L-Ascorbic Acid → L-Gulonic acid, gamma-lactone

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of L-ascorbic acid (83.9 g, 0.477 mol) in water (600 mL) was added Pd/C (10%, 8.3 g). The mixture was subjected to hydrogenation in a Parr hydrogenator at 48 psi, 18° C. for 62 hours. The reaction mixture was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to afford L-gulonic γ-lactone (81.0 g, 96%) as an off-white solid, after drying at 50° C. in a vacuum oven for 18 hours: mp 182-184° C.

Provenance & Evidence