This Perspective addresses recent advances in isomerization
of
aldoses into ketoses catalyzed by bases. In recent years, catalytic
activity of a number of bases was reported, but the structure–performance
correlations are typically missing or remain poorly understood. In
this Perspective, the reaction mechanism and kinetics of the base-catalyzed
isomerization are discussed. An overview of products obtained via base-catalyzed transformations of d-glucose
(Glc), d-lactose (Lac), d-galactose (Gal), and aldopentoses d-ribose (Rib), d-arabinose (Ara), d-xylose
(Xyl), and d-lyxose (Lyx) is provided. Side reactions that
occur under base conditions are summarized. Catalysis by soluble metal
hydroxides and general bases is considered. Moreover, structure–selectivity
relationships observed for soluble bases as well as methods for stabilization
of ketoses via complexation are discussed. Influences
of organic (co-)solvents on reaction kinetics and acceleration of
the reaction rate in aqueous phase in the presence of soluble salts–also
referred to as salt effect–are addressed. Next, solid bases
applied as catalysts for isomerization are considered with a focus
on contributions of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis into the
isomerization processes. The applicability of a filtration test and
a contact test as tools to estimate impact of leached species onto
catalysis is critically discussed.