4331. Galactaric Acid

Nomenclature

CAS number: 526-99-8
Mucic acid; galactosaccharic acid; tetrahydroxyadipic acid; saccharolactic acid; Schleimsure (German).
C6H10O8; mol wt 210.14.
C 34.29%, H 4.80%, O 60.91%.

Description and references

Prepd by oxidation of lactose and of galactose: Kent, Tollens, Ann. 227, 221 (1885); Maurer, Drefahl, Ber. 75B, 1489 (1942). Manuf from wood sawdust: Acree, GB 160777 (1921). Review: B. A. Lewis et al., “Galactaric Acid and Its Derivatives” in Whistler, Wolfrom, Methods in Carbohydrate Chemistry vol. II (Academic Press, New York, 1963) pp 38-46.

Chemical structure

Properties

Cryst powder, dec ≈255° when rapidly heated, also reported as 225°. Soluble in 300 parts cold water, 60 parts boiling water, alkalies; practically insol in alcohol, ether.

Derivative

Ammonium salt.
(NH4)2C6H8O8; mol wt 244.20.
N 11.47%, H 6.60%, C 29.51%, O 52.41%.

Properties

Acicular crystals. Soluble in water.

Use

Has been proposed to replace potassium bitartrate in baking powder and for manuf of granular effervescing salts.