The synthesis of N-acetylneuraminic acid

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Abstract
The occurrence of sialic acids in the animal organism is briefly reviewed. The synthesis of crystalline N-acetylneuraminic acid from N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and oxaloacetic acid in aqueous solution at 20[degree] and pH 11 is described. The chemical and stereochemical identity of the synthetic product with N-acetylneuraminic acid of natural origin is shown by comparison of decomposition points, elementary analyses, optical rotations, infrared spectra and X-ray diffraction patterns. The sterochemistry of N-acetylneuraminic acid is discussed.