Enzymatic Transesterification of Alkyl 2,3,4-Tri-O-acyl-β-D-xylopyranosides

Abstract

The transesterification of some alkyl 2,3,4-tri-O-acyl-β-D-xylopyranosides catalysed by Pseudomonas cepacia lipase in organic solvents has been studied. In all the cases a unique regioisomeric product was obtained, the alkyl 2,3-di-O-acyl-β-D-xylopyranoside. The 2,3-di-O-acetyl derivative (2b) was obtained in 93% yield. These compounds thus obtained are useful intermediates in the synthesis of 4-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-D-xylose.