J. R. Turvey

Sulphates of monosaccharides and derivatives : Part VI. D-glucose 2-sulphate, D-galactose 2- and 3-sulphate, and D-galactose 2,3-disulphate☆

Abstract D -Glucose 2-sulphate, D -galactose 2- and 3-sulphates, and D -galactose 2,3-di-sulphate have been synthesized by definitive routes and isolated as amorphous barium salts. From periodate-oxidation studies on these compounds, it is concluded that, where a sulphate group is located at the 2-position of glucose or galactose, oxidation proceeds via the open-chain form. The infrared spectra of the synthetic sugar-sulphates and of some derivatives have been studied. It is shown that the spectra of sugar sulphates, particularly those having a sulphate group at position 2, cannot be used to predict the position of the sulphate group.

Polysaccharides of Marine Algae

The seaweeds, that is, the macroscopic marine algae, consist of a group of photosynthetic plants, in which it is believed that evolution has not proceeded as far as in land plants. In general, the morphology of algae is much simpler than that of land plants. There is a more limited diversification of cells according to function and, indeed, many unicellular algae are known which are related botanically to the seaweeds. Insofar as the metabolism of the algae has been studied, it appears to resemble in many respects that of land plants, although the metabolic end-products may differ (44).