Aldohexoses, 2-amino-2-deoxy-, derivatives

In the aldohexose series, 5-(benzylamino)-l,2-0-cyclohexylidene-5-deoxy-L-idurononitrile gives, on acid hydrolysis, an almost quantitative yield of N-benzyl-2-cyano-5-hydroxypyridinium chloride. On partial, catalytic hydrogenation of this aminonitrile, 5-(benzylamino)-I,2-0-cyclohexylidene-5-deoxy-L- do-hexodialdo-l,4-furanose is obtained. This compound is reducible with sodium borohydride to crystalline 5-(benzylamino)-l,2-0-cyclohexylidene-5-deoxy-L-idofur-anose which, on removal of the cyclohexylidene group with acid, forms the intermediate 5-(benzylamino)-5-deoxy-L-idopyranose this then loses three molecules of water per molecule, to give N-benzyl-5-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridinium chloride. It is therefore clear that the transformation of 5-aminoaldoses into pyridine derivatives in acid solution is not prevented by the monoalkylation of the amino group. 

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