Mineral Induced Formation of Pentose-2,4-Bisphosphates*

Abstract
Formation of rac.-pentose-2,4-bisphosphates is demonstrated, starting from glycolaldehyde phosphate and glyceraldehyde-2-phosphate, and induced by mixed valence double layer metal hydroxide minerals. The reactions proceed from dilute aqueous reactant solutions (1.5 mM) at near neutral pH. Conditions have been established, where ribose-2,4- bisphosphate is the major product (∼48%) among the pentose-2,4-bisphosphates, which are formed with up to 25% yield.