Structure and some reactions of coriose

Coriose was obtained in a higher yield from the root of Coriaria japonica. The structure, -altro-3-heptulose (I) was determined by the sodium borohydride reduction which yielded volemitol (II) and -glycero- -altro-hepitol (IV). Other reactions in agreement with this structure (I) were also carried out: The oxidative degradation of coriose in cold alkali produced a pentanolactone syrup which was reduced to ribose, while the degradation at elevated temperature gave a hexanolactone syrup which yielded ribose on treatment with ferric acetate-hydrogen peroxide. The rearrangement of coriose in alkali at room temperature to 2-heptuloses was investigated. Lead tetraacetate oxidation of coriose produced -glyceraldehyde and -glyceric acid.