It has been well understood that, Molybdate can do the epimerization of sugars at acidic condition (pH 2.5 to 3.5). Though, W(VI) and V(V) can form the complex with sugar similarly as Mo (VI), then why these two metals cannot do the epimerization. Several reports mention that, all these three metal having similar properties and forms the complex with sugars. Can some one explain me the reason for this.

Thanking you in anticipation....