C-2 Epimerization of Aldoses Promoted by Combination of Monoamines and Alkaline Earth or Rare Earth Metal Ions, Involving a Rearrangement of the Carbon Skeleton

Aldoses are rapidly epimerized at C-2 by combination of alkaline earth or rare earth metal ions (Ca2+, Sr2+, Pr3+, or Ce3+) and monoamines (triethylamine etc.). 13C NMR studies using [1-13C]-d-glucose of the Ca2+ system revealed that this reaction proceeds via the stereospecific rearrangement of carbon skeleton.