[Ascorbigen and its derivatives--depot preparations of ascorbic acid].

New derivatives of 2-C-/(indolyl-3)methyl/-beta-L-threo-L-glycero-3-hexulofuranosono- 1,4-lactone, vis. 1'-ethylascorbigen, 1'-benzylascorbigen and 1',2'-dimethyl-5'-methoxyascorbigen were obtained. In aquous solutions at physiological temperature and pH values ascorbigens disintegrate rather rapidly to yield L-ascorbic acid, the rate of the latter's formation depending on the substituent in the indole nucleus and increasing with growth of pH and temperature. Intraperitoneal injection of 1'-methylascorbigen to mice leads to steady rise of L-ascorbic acid level in blood plasma.