Title:  Melibiose
CAS Registry Number:  585-99-9
CAS Name:  6-
O-a-D-Galactopyranosyl-D-glucose
Synonyms:  6-(a-D-galactosido)-D-glucose
Molecular Formula:  C12H22O11
Molecular Weight:  342.30
Percent Composition:  C 42.11%, H 6.48%, O 51.41%
Literature References:  Prepd from raffinose by fermentation with top yeast which removes the fructose:  Hudson, Harding, 
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 37, 2734 (1915); Fletcher, Diehl, 
ibid. 74, 5774 (1952).  Structure:  Haworth, Leitch, 
J. Chem. Soc. 113, 188 (1918); Charlton 
et al., ibid. 1926, 99; Charlton 
et al., ibid. 1927, 1527; Haworth 
et al., ibid. 3146; Levene, Jorpes, 
J. Biol. Chem. 86, 403 (1930).  Synthesis:  Helferich, Bredereck, 
Ann. 465, 166 (1928).
 
Derivative Type:  Dihydrate 
Properties:  Monoclinic crystals from water or dil alcohol.  mp 84-85°.  Shows mutarotation.  [a]D20 +111.7° ? +129.5° (c = 4).  One gram dissolves in 0.4 ml water, 8.5 ml methanol, 220 ml abs alcohol.  Dilute acids hydrolyze melibiose to D-glucose and D-galactose.  Also split by emulsin and by bottom yeast.  Reduces Fehling's soln.  3.5 g melibiose dihydrate are about as sweet as 1.0 g sucrose.
Melting point:  mp 84-85°
Optical Rotation:  [a]D20 +111.7° ? +129.5° (c = 4)