Oxidative degradation of reducing carbohydrates to ammonium formate with H(2)O(2) and NH(4)OH.

Oxidation of various carbohydrates to ammonium formate was investigated in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and ammonium hydroxide. Most of the examined carbohydrates except nonreducing sugars were efficiently converted into ammonium formate under environment friendly and mild conditions in aqueous media.