The reaction between epichlorohydrin and polysaccharides: structural elements in a cross-linked dextran, Sephadex® G-25

Different types of structural elements in Sephadex® G-25, a dextran that has been cross-linked by reaction with epichlorohydrin, have been characterised. The method used involved hydrolysis with acid, reduction with sodium borodeuteride, permethylation, and investigation of the product by GLC and GLC-MS. Several structural elements were identified, and only a minor part of these were involved in cross-linkages.