New glucuronoglucans obtained by oxidation of amylose at position 6

By adding finely powdered sodium nitrite to solutions of amylose in 85% (w/w) orthophosphoric acid, a series of d -glucurono- d -glucans was prepared, having number-average molecular weights of ∼104 and GlcA/Glc ratios varying from 0.5 to 3.0. The products were soluble in water, both as sodium salts and free acids, formed complexes with iodine having λmax in the range of 508–574 nm, and exhibited strongly pH-dependent chiroptical properties.