Chemistry and Metabolism of 3-Deoxy-D-mannooctulosonic Acid

Abstract

Abstract 3-Deoxy-d-mannooctulosonate (KDO) has been synthesized as the crystalline ammonium salt in good yield by the condensation of arabinose with sodium oxalacetate. The product was purified by chromatography on Dowex 50-carbonate columns followed by chromatography on cellulose. The crystalline product was stable at room temperature but was unstable in aqueous acidic or alkaline solutions. KDO decomposed slowly in neutral aqueous solution.