METHYLATION OF METHYL α-D-HEXOPYRANOSIDES WITH DIAZOMETHANE IN THE PRESENCE OF A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0008-6215(87)80024-1

The long-time reaction of methyl α-D-gluco-, α-D-manno-, and α-D-galactopyranosides with excess diazomethane-diethyl ether at 25 deg C the presence of water gave all partially methylated methyl α-D-hexopyranosides which differ in number and position of methyl substitution.The presence electrolytes, such as potassium or sodium phosphate, in the reaction medium enhanced the degree of methylation, resulting in preferential formation of tri-O-methyl derivatives of methyl α-D-hexopyranosides.