The structure of an amino-sugar from the antibiotic vancomycin

Abstract

Mild acid hydrolysis of the antibiotic vancomycin, previously known to liberate glucose, has been shown to liberate a second sugar formulated as 3-amino-2,3,6-trideoxy-3-C-methyl-lyxo-hexopyranose. On vigorous treatment with acid, under conditions previously shown to give vancomycin acid (3-methyl-4-oxohexanoic acid) from vancomycin. The novel amino-sugar affords vancomycin acid, thus establishing the origin of this acidic degradation product.