Synthesis of D-erythroascorbic acid from D-glucose

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0008-6215(91)80010-K

Reaction of a 4:1 mixture of D-ribono- and D-arabinono-1,4-lactones with benzaldehyde and hydrochloric acid gave 59percent crystalline 3,4-O-benzylidene-D-ribono-1,5-lactone.This acetal was oxidized with manganese dioxide in acetone to its 2-keto-derivative (6) in 76percent yield.Acid-catalyzed methanolysis of 6 gave a syrupy mixture of products, which upon tautomerization in hot methanolic sodium acetate followed by removal of sodium ions gave 78percent D-erythroascorbic acid (7).The overall yield of 7 starting from D-glucose was 20percent.