monoanhydrosorbitol

Monoanhydrosorbitol is a dehydration product of sorbitol (1,2,3,4,5,6-hexitol) formed by the loss of one molecule of water, giving the nominal formula C6H12O5. In contrast to sorbitol, monoanhydrosorbitol exists as a set of isomeric structures arising from different intramolecular condensations of hydroxyl groups. The resulting anhydro forms can adopt cyclic ether structures, so the exact structure depends on how the dehydration occurs during formation.

Formation and occurrence: Monoanhydrosorbitol can be produced by heating sorbitol under acidic or neutral conditions, or during drying and processing of sorbitol-containing feedstocks at elevated temperatures. It is typically a minor component in dehydration product mixtures and is not a major commercial chemical on its own. In carbohydrate chemistry, monoanhydrosorbitol is discussed as one possible intermediate in the transformation of sorbitol to more extensively dehydrated derivatives, including the better-known sorbitans.

Properties and applications: As an anhydro derivative, monoanhydrosorbitol may be more reactive than sorbitol in certain condensation reactions and can act as a precursor to sorbitan esters in synthetic routes. However, it is not widely used as a standalone material. Physical properties vary with the specific isomer and the degree of purification; mixtures are typically described as colorless solids or liquids depending on the composition and conditions of preparation.

See also: Sorbitol, Sorbitan, Anhydro sugar derivatives.

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