Some considerations of the kinetics of the acid hydrolysis of poly- and oligosaccharides. Part III. The disaccharides 2-O-(α-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid)-D-xylose, 2-O-(4-O-methyl-α-D-glucopyrano-syluronic acid)-D-xylose,and 2-O-(4-O-methyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl)-D-xylitol

Rate equations have been formulated for the formation and depletion of the hydrolysis product(s) of the title disaccharides. They are based on the assumptions that (1) the rate of acid hydrolysis of the disaccharides is according to first order, and (2) the rate of depletion of the hydrolysis product(s) is constant in the early periods while it approaches first order in the more advanced stages of the reactions. By using experimental rate data from the literature the rate constants of the hydrolysis of the disaccharides and of the depletion of the hydrolysis product(s) have been computed. The validity of the assumptions underlying the rate equations advanced has been confirmed by (a) the agreement between experimental and calculated values and (b) the similar values for the rate constant of the depletion of xylose formed in the hydrolysis of the two biouronic acids. Also discussed are some implications arising from the magnitude of the hydrolysis rate constant of methylaldobiouronic acid and of the depletion rate constant of xylose in relation to complete hydrolysis of polysaccharides.