Description and references

(C₈H₁₃NO₅)_n. C 47.29%, H 6.45%, N 6.89%, O 39.37%. Cellulose-like biopolymer consisting predominantly of unbranched chains of β-(1→4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-glucose (also named N-acetyl-d-glucosamine) residues. Found in fungi, yeasts, marine invertebrates and arthropods, where it is a principal component in the exoskeletons. May be regarded as a derivative of cellulose, in which the C-2 hydroxyl groups have been replaced by acetamido residues. Occurrence in lower animals: A. G. Richards, The Integument of Arthropods (University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, 1951). Occurrence in the plant kingdom: F. von Wettstein, Handbuch der systematischen Botanik (F. Deuticke, Leipzig and Vienna, 4th ed., 1933). Typical isoln: Hackman, Aust. J. Biol. Sci. 7, 168 (1954); Horowitz et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 79, 5046 (1957). Occurrence in the anthozoan Stylobates aeneus Dall, the first sea anemone proved capable of synthesizing chitin: D. F. Dunn, M. H. Liberman, Science 221, 157 (1983). Structure: Dweltz, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 44, 416 (1960); 51, 283 (1961); Carlstrom, ibid. 59, 361 (1962); Ramachadran, Ramakrishman, ibid. 63, 307 (1962). Review: Foster, Webber, Adv. Carbohydr. Chem. 15, 371-393 (1960); C. Jeuniaux, “Chitinous Structures” in Comprehensive Biochemistry vol. 26c, M. Florkin, E. H. Stotz, Eds. (Elsevier, New York, 1971) pp 595-632. Book: R. A. A. Muzzarelli, Chitin (Pergamon Press, New York, 1977). Review of properties and possible novel applications: P. R. Austin et al., Science 212, 749-753 (1981).

Properties

Derivative

Derivative