Enzymic Acylation of Methyl D- and L-Glucopyranosides and 6-Deoxy-glucopyranosides

Methyl 6-O-butyryl-alpha-D- and L-glucopyranosides and methyl 6-deoxy-alpha-D- and L-glucopyranosides have been submitted to lipase catalyzed butyrylation, using porcine pancreatic, Candida cylindracea, and Pseudomonas cepacia lipases in organic solvents. The influence of the orientation of the secondary hydroxyl groups on the regioselectivity of the butyrylation is discussed.