Abstract
Condensation of D-talose with nitromethane in alkaline methanol gave the corresponding epimeric 1-deoxy-1-nitroheptitols which were converted into D-glycero-L-altro-heptose and D-glycero-L-allo-heptose (1.5:1) in 44% yield. Reduction of D-glycero-L-altro-heptose with sodium borohydride gave the hitherto unknown meso-glycero-altro-heptitol. The gas-liquid chromatography retention times of the 10 geometrically isomeric heptitol heptaacetates were determined. These data provide the necessary information for the key step in a procedure for the rapid identification of an unknown heptose.