Vibrational assignments and isomerization rate-constants from time-dependent F.t.-i.r. spectra of sugars

Time-dependent F.t.-i.r. absorption spectra of alpha-D-galactose, alpha-D-fucose, alpha-D-glucose-1-d1, alpha-D-glucose-2-d1, and alpha-D-glucose-5,6,6-d3 were measured. The spectral changes were interpreted in terms of anomeric isomerization, and possible vibrational origins were suggested. The intensity changes seen for alpha-fucose were found to follow a reversible first-order rate-equation and the rate constants obtained from different vibrational bands were found to be consistent among themselves and in reasonable agreement with those obtained by other techniques.