Aldose epimerization by Ni(II): effect of ether-containig alkylenediamine ligands

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0008-6215(91)80165-J

Several N-substituted ethylenediamine (en) Ni(II) derivatives containing ether linkages were prepared in order to study the effect of ligand structure on C-2 epimerization of aldohexoses.The reagent consisted of a Ni(II)-alkyenediamine derivative in methanol.The presence of ether linkages in the ligand increased the solubilty of the complexes, and resulted in an increase in the rate of epimerization.Epimerization occured rapidly under mild conditions, and the same equilibrium point was reached regardless of whether the reaction was started from glucose or mannose.Among the ligands studied, N,N'-dialkylethylenediamine was the most effective in C-2 epimerization.