The platinum-catalyzed oxidation of inulin.

The oxidation of inulin with Pt/C as catalyst was studied. Methyl alpha-D-fructofuranoside was used as a model compound for the monomeric unit of inulin. Oxidation occurred selectively at the C-6 position in a high yield (79%). The rate of oxidation and the degree of oxidation obtained for inulin oligosaccharides decreased upon increase of the chain length of the substrate. Inulin could only be oxidized partially: the oxidation degree obtained was 20% of the primary hydroxy groups for inulin with an average dp 30. Possible explanations for these relatively low conversions are discussed. Adsorption and desorption phenomena appear to play and important role during the oxidation process.