Chapter 25: Carbohydrates
Acylation of Carbohydrates
Reaction type: Nucleophilic Acyl Substitution
Summary
The -
OH
groups in carbohydrates react readily with acylating agents such as
acid halides
or
acid anhydrides
to give
esters
.
Most commonly, the esters used will be an ethanoate (also commonly known as an acetate and represented as "Ac")
This representation shows the same product as that in the scheme at the top of the page.
These reactions are often used in carbohydrate chemistry since the products act as
protecting groups
for the reactive -
OH
functional group.
Related Reactions
Alkylation of Carbohydrates
Synthesis of Esters
©
Dr. Ian Hunt
, Department of Chemistry