Enzymatic acylation of levoglucosan in acetonitrile and ionic liquids

Abstract

The regioselective acylation of carbohydrates is of great interest in many industrial fields. Levoglucosan (1,6-anhydroglucopyranose), an anhydro-sugar easily obtainable through the pyrolytic treatment of cellulose, can be used as an excellent alternative feedstock to get chemicals of interest from renewable resources. Levoglucosan has been acylated in good yields with diverse acyl donors, such as vinyl esters and carboxylic acids with long and short chains in alternative green solvents: CH₃CN, a traditional organic solvent with low ecotoxicity, and ionic liquids. The surfactant properties of 4-O-lauryl-levoglucosan have been evaluated and resulted in the range of oil soluble emulsifiers.