The dissociation of sucrose into glucose and fructose

$$\mathrm{C}_{12}\mathrm{H}_{22}\mathrm{O}_{11}+\mathrm{H}_2\mathrm{O}\longrightarrow \mathrm{C}_{6}\mathrm{H}_{12}\mathrm{O}_{6} (\mathrm{glucose}) + \mathrm{C}_{6}\mathrm{H}_{12}\mathrm{O}_{6} (\mathrm{fructose})$$ is an example of a reaction that proceeds according to first-order kinetics. Because the sugars are all cause their own specific rotation of polarized light, the change of concentration in the course of time can be easiy tracked with a polarimeter. Ludwig Wilhelmy found in this way in 1850 that the rate of conversion is directly proportional to the concentration of the remaining sucrose.