AN IMPROVED PREPARATIVE METHOD FOR D-ERYTHROSE 4-PHOSPHATE

Abstract

The oxidation of 1 mmole of D-glucose 6-phosphate with 1.7 mmoles of lead tetraacetate admixed with 1.8 mmoles of sulfuric acid yields a preparation containing 0.77 mmole of D-erythrose 4-phosphate and 0.20 mmole of unoxidized glucose 6-phosphate. The D-erythrose 4-phosphate is separated from the D-glucose 6-phosphate by chromatography on Dowex 1-formate, and recovered as the barium salt of the hydrazone in 50% yield. Evidence is presented that erythrose 4-phosphate may exist in monomeric and dimeric forms. Glucose 6-phosphate and erythrose 4-phosphate produce different colors in the phenol – sulfuric acid reaction. This can be used for the qualitative identification and quantitative determination of these sugar phosphates.