Solid-phase catalytic reactions of tritium with carbohydrates: 4. Mechanism of isomerization of D-glucose in the course of solid-phase catalytic hydrogenation with tritium

Abstract

The influence exerted on the solid-phase catalytic hydrogenation of lactulose with tritium by temperature in the range 130–160°C, platinum group catalysts, solid phase composition, and support surface area was studied. Lactose was identified in the reaction products along with labeled lactulose. The mechanism of isomerization of sugars in the solid phase under the action of hydrogen spillover was suggested. Isomerization of sugars occurs by a complex mechanism similar to acid-catalyzed keto-enol tautomerization of epimeric sugars in solution, and the active species in SCH of sugars with tritium is spillover hydrogen in the form of proton.