Prebiotic carbohydrate synthesis: zinc-proline catalyzes direct aqueous aldol reactions of alpha-hydroxy aldehydes and ketones

Org Biomol Chem. 2005 May 21;3(10):1850-5. doi: 10.1039/b501512j. Epub 2005 Apr 14.

Abstract

Zn-proline catalyzed aldolisation of glycoladehyde gave mainly tetroses whereas in the cross-aldolisation of glycoladehyde and rac-glyceraldehyde, pentoses accounted for 60% of the sugars formed with 20% of ribose.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylation
  • Aldehydes / chemistry*
  • Carbohydrates / biosynthesis*
  • Catalysis
  • Chromatography, Gas
  • Ketones / chemistry*
  • Proline / chemistry*
  • Zinc / chemistry*

Substances

  • Aldehydes
  • Carbohydrates
  • Ketones
  • 3-hydroxybutanal
  • Proline
  • Zinc