The Chemistry of Ribose

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the chemistry of ribose and its derivatives, which give ribose on hydrolysis. Yeast nucleic acid is the best source of D -ribose and. The hydrolysis of yeast nucleic acid by sweet almond emulsin gives high yields of guanosine and adenosine and forms a practical basis for the preparation of D -ribose. A tentative identification of ribose may be made through the usual tests for a reducing sugar, specific tests for pentoses and, finally, if the sample is homogeneous and crystalline, through its melting point, specific rotation and optical crystallographic properties. A direct application of paper partition chromatography to a problem of ribose chemistry was made by Barker and Lock who hydrolyzed tetraacetyl-di- D -ribose anhydride and showed by chromatography that only ribose was formed. The acetylation of D -ribose in pyridine solution with acetic anhydride at various temperatures is studied.