Alkaline Degradation of Monosaccharides Part VII. A Mechanistic Picture

Recent data on the alkaline degradation of monosaccharides have been used to develop a mechanistic picture of the alkaline degradation of monosaccharides. It appears that the degradation of monosaccharides themselves, particularly ketoses, is directed by the reaction conditions. So, the extent of retro‐aldolization of ketoses largely determines the amount of lactic acid formed whereas the benzilic acid rearrangement/α‐dicarbonyl cleavage/aldolization ratio of α‐dicarbonyls further influences the composition of the C1‐C6 acid part of products as well as the total amount of oligomeric products.