Sorption of aldonic acids from ethyl alcohol-water solutions on anion exchangers

Aldonic acids can be retained quantitatively from ethyl alcohol-water solutions by means of anion exchangers in the sulfate form. After the sorption step the aldonic acids can be easily displaced by washing with water. The sorption is explained by a partition mechanism of the same type as demonstrated in earlier work with strongly polar non-electrolytes. Precautions have to be taken to prevent uptake by means of an ion exchange mechanism. The method permits a separation from exchangeable anions and from non-adsorbable solutes.