Patent ID: 6140498
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: C07H

Abstract:
A process of preparing and recovering high purity L-ribose crystals from a solution of L-arabinose, said process comprising the steps of:(a) heating a solution comprising L-arabinose in a stirred reaction zone and in the presence of from about 0.05 to about 5 mol %, based on the total amount of L-arabinose in said solution, of a molybdenum compound under conditions whereby 10-35% by weight of said L-arabinose is converted to L-ribose;(b) separating said L-ribose from the heated solution of step (a) under conditions to provide at least one fraction containing L-ribose having a purity of greater than 90% of dry substance, wherein other L-sugar fractions are transferred back to said stirred reaction zone or into a chromatographic separation;(c) crystallizing said L-ribose fraction under conditions effective to form monohydrate L-ribose crystals; and(d) recovering high purity L-ribose crystals therefrom, said high purity L-ribose crystals having a L-ribose content of greater than 95% by weight, a water content of less than 0.5% by weight and a melting point of greater than 88.degree. C.