Synthesis of Acid Derivative of Lactose by Permanganate Ion in Acidic Medium

Carbohydrates are the most abundant class of organic compounds found in living organisms. They originate as products of photosynthesis, an endothermic reductive condensation of carbon dioxide requiring light energy and the pigment chlorophyll. Permanganate ion in acidic medium has been used for the oxidation of lactose spectrophotometrically at maximum wavelength of 545 nm. The reactions were followed at different concentration of reducing sugars, oxidizing agent, ionic strength, pH and temperature. The rate of oxidation follows first order kinetics with respect to substrate and oxidant. A slow kinetics was observed in absence of acid in between sugar and oxidant. The rate of oxidation was affected by the change in temperature and the values of activation parameters were determined while change in ionic strength of the medium shows no effect on the rate of the reaction. A probable mechanism consistent with the experimental results has been proposed whereas advanced spectroscopy of the reaction mixture confirmed the oxidation of aldehydic/ alcoholic group into respective acid.