(2R,3S,4R,5R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexanal → Sorbitol

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of 60 ml of a 45 percent aqueous solution of glucose containing 6 g of a 10 percent nickel on titanium dioxide catalyst, reduced at 250° C., was reacted with hydrogen at 700 psig and 120° C. for 5 hours. The cooled reaction mixture was then analyzed by high pressure liquid chromatography which showed that 98 percent of the glucose had reacted to afford as the only two products sorbitol and mannitol with selectivity of 95 percent and 3 percent respectively.

Provenance & Evidence