By application of the Sowden-FischerZ nitromethane synthesis for ascending the aldose series of carbohydrates, Sowden3 prepared D-glucose-l-C14 and D-mannose-l-C14. The condensation of nitromethane with erythrose leads to the nitroalcohols which may subsequently be used to prepare D-erythr0-2-desoxypentose.~ It appeared possible that a similar method would be applicable for the syiithesis of arabinose-l-C14 and ribose-l-C14. ...
