| Abstract: | ABSTRACT Alkylation of saccharides combines the essential characteristics of two major renewable classes, viz. triglycerides and carbohydrates, while leading to biofriendly surfactants and emulsifiers. The development of alkylated derivatives of fructose has lagged because no efficient synthesis was available. We have found that mesoporous materials of the MCM-41 type are active and selective catalysts for the alkylation of fructose. Quantitative yields were obtained in the reaction of fructose with lower alcohols, up to C4. For long chain alcohols yields were moderate but the alkyl fructopyranosides could be easily purified. The other isomers could be isolated by chromatography. |
