761. Arabinose

Nomenclature

CAS number: 147-81-9
l-Arabinose; pectin sugar.
C5H10O5; mol wt 150.13.
C 40.00%, H 6.71%, O 53.29%.

Description and references

Widely distributed in plants, usually in the form of complex polysaccharides. Also in mycobacteria. Isoln from mesquite gum: Anderson, Sands, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 48, 3172 (1926); Org. Synth. coll. vol. I, 16 (2nd ed., 1941); White, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 69, 715 (1947); from western red cedar (Thuja plicata Don., Cupressaceae): Anderson, Erdtman, ibid. 71, 2927 (1949); from sapote gum: White, ibid. 75, 257 (1953); from heartwood of port orford cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (Murr.) Parl, Cupressaceae): Kritchevsky, Anderson, ibid. 77, 3391 (1955). Structure: Wolfrom, Christman, ibid. 58, 39 (1936). Synthesis: Hough, Jones, J. Chem. Soc. 1951, 1122.

Chemical structure

Properties

Orthorhombic bisphenoidal crystals, mp 157-160°. Shows mutarotation. [α]D12 +173° (6 min) →[α]D20 +105.1° (22 hrs c = 3). One gram dissolves in about 1 ml water, about 250 ml 90% alc. Ka at 17°, 3.7 × 1013. Reduces Fehling's soln. Forms furfurol on heating to 200° in closed tube also contg water.

Use

As culture medium for certain bacteria.