Milieu dependence of isomeric composition of 1-deoxy-d-erythro-hexo-2,3-diulose in aqueous solution determined by high-resolution NMR spectroscopy

► 1-Deoxy-d-erythro-hexo-2,3-diulose forms up to 15 isomers in aqueous solution. ► The 2C5-chair β-pyranose is the major isomer of 1-DG in aqueous solution. ► Hydrated isomers eliminate water with increasing temperature. ► Hydrated isomers are more stable in the weakly basic milieu than non-hydrated ones.