Process for making a mixture of l-glucose and l-mannose

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A process converting L-arabinose to L-fructose or L-glucose or L-mannose or mixtures thereof in high yield and selectivity is described. Key functions of the process are: 1) careful pH control during cyanohydrin formation from L-arabinose and its subsequent selective hydrogenation, and 2) close control of hydrogenation conditions, including catalyst, temperature and pressure, to selectively, convert the cyano group to the imine group with subsequent hydrolysis to the aldehyde group without any significant hydrogenation of the latter. The products of the present process find utility as artificial sweeteners.