A METHOD FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE MONO-O-METHYLGLUCOSES

Abstract
Periodate oxidation of any one mono-O-methylglucopyranose and alkaline hydrolysis of the product yields a substance which can be positively distinguished by paper chromatography from the products formed under the same conditions from the other mono-O-methylglucopyranoses. Thus, the components of a mixture of the mono-O-methylglucopyranoses can be readily identified. The method appears useful for the identification of di-O-methylglucoses. Reduction with sodium borohydride prior to periodate oxidation renders the method useful for the identification of tri-O-methylglucoses. The potential value of the method, which can be used on a microscale, is illustrated by an application to the characterization of the O-methylglucoses derived from a water-soluble O-methyl-cellulose