Sodium halide complexes of ribose derivatives and their unusual crystal structures.

Crystalline complexes of D-ribose, D-ribono-1,4-lactone and methyl ß-D-ribopyranoside with sodium halides were synthesized and some of their crystal structures determined. Crystal structures of two lactone complexes and a methyl ß-D-ribopyranoside reveal the mode of the salt binding and the intricate interplay of cation coordination and hydrogen bonding in these complexes. When complexed with NaBr, the ribopyranoside is in the (1)C(4) shape whereas ribose with no salt present has the (4)C(1) shape. It is also demonstrated that such complexes can be easily prepared in solid state reaction using a ball mill.