Complexation of reducing and nonreducing carbohydrates with hydroxides of some alkali and alkaline-earth metals.

Complexation of D-arabinose, D-fructose, D-glucitol, D-glucose, D-mannitol, L-sorbose, D-xylose, sucrose, and amylose with LiOH, NaOH, KOH, Ba(OH)2, Ca(OH)2, and Sr(OH)2 has been studied conductometrically. D-Glucitol and D-mannitol do not bind with any of the bases used. Molecular complexes (1:1) of the other carbohydrates are formed in solution. Reducing sugars bind more strongly than nonreducing ones. Stability constants for the complexes have been determined; the free-energy change is of the order of hydrogen bonding. The association process has been observed to depend significantly on the polarity of the medium.