A Simple Procedure for the Regioselective Synthesis of Fatty Acid Esters of Maltose, Leucrose, Maltotriose and n-Dodecyl Maltosides

The enzymatic acylation of several di- and trisaccharides with acyl donors ranging from 8 to 18 carbon atoms was carried out by transesterification with the corresponding vinyl esters. The reaction was performed in 2-methyl-2-butanol/dimethylsulfoxide mixtures using the lipase from Humicola lanuginosa (immobilized on Celite). Maltose, maltotriose and n-dodecyl maltosides were specifically acylated in the primary hydroxyl of the non-reducing-end glucose moiety; the acylation of leucrose occurred preferentially in the primary hydroxyl of the glucose ring.