Process for the preparation of epimer-free sugar alcohols from the groupconsisting of xylitol, sorbitol (d-glucitol), 4-o-.beta.-d-galactopyranosyl-d-glucitol and 4-o-.alpha.-d-glucopyranosyl-d-sorbitol

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Process for the preparation of epimer-free sugar alcohols from the group consisting of xylitol sorbitol , (D-glucitol), 4-O-.beta.-D-galactopyranosyl-D-glucitol and 4-O-.alpha.-D-glucopyranosyl-D-sorbitol. These sugar alcohols can be prepared in epimer-free form from the corresponding sugars by catalytic hydrogenation in aqueous solution using hydrogen the hydrogenation being carried out continuously at 100-500 bar of H2 and 60-125°C on a fixed bed of carrier-free mouldings composed of pressed powders of the elements of the iron group of the periodic table. The mouldings have a compressive strength of above 50 N and an internal surface of 10-90 m2/g.