Levulinic Acid
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Levulinic acid is the simplest gamma-ketonic acid, easily soluble in water, alcohol, and ether. It is formed during the boiling of hexoses with 20% hydrochloric acid and serves as a breakdown product of hexose-containing substances like nucleic acids.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
LEVULINIC ACID (CH3CO.CH2.CH2.COOH), the simplest gamma-ketonic acid, easily soluble in water, alcohol, and ether. Leaflets; melting point 33.5°; boiling point 250° (partially decomposes). It is formed by boiling hexoses with 20% hydrochloric acid according to the equation: C6H12O6 = H.COOH + H2O + CH3.CO.CH2.CH2.COOH. This reaction is characteristic of the entire group of hexoses. Therefore, levulinic acid is a breakdown product of nucleic acids and metalbumin containing a hexose residue. Levulinic acid is easily isolated in the form of zinc or silver salts. It exhibits all the reactions of ketones.
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Cite this page
“Levulinic Acid.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/levulinic-acid/