Analysis of reducing end-groups produced by enzymatic scission of glycosidic linkages in O-methylcellulose

O-Methylcellulose (ds 1.8) was subjected to hydrolysis by cellulase and the portion that was enzymatically cleaved was analyzed. End-group analysis of the enzymatic hydrolyzate gave direct evidence for scission at the glycosidic linkages of 6-O-methyl-, 2-O-methyl-, and also unsubstituted glucose residues. The rates of cleavage of glycosidic linkages was: unsubstituted glucose residues > 6-O-methylglucose residues > 2-O-methylglucose residues.