An HPLC method for the quantitative determination of hexeneuronic acid groups in chemical pulps

It has recently been demonstrated that 4-deoxy-l-threo-hex-4-enopyranosyluronic acid (“hexeneuronic acid”) is present in kraft pulps and linked to the xylan backbone. An analytical method for the quantitative determination of hexeneuronic acid groups has now been developed. The procedure involves a selective hydrolysis with mercuric acetate of the glucosidic linkage between the hexeneuronic acid group and the xylan chain, followed by oxidation with periodate to form β-formyl pyruvic acid. The latter is reacted with thiobarbituric acid, and the red-coloured adduct formed is separated by reverse phase HPLC and quantified by measuring the absorbance at 549 nm. Some kraft pulps have been analysed to illustrate the contribution of hexencuronic acid groups to the total amount of oxidizable structures present in such pulps.