Efficient acylation and sulfation of carbohydrates using sulfamic acid, a mild, eco-friendly catalyst under organic solvent-free conditions

A fast and efficient acylation of carbohydrate derivatives and free sugars using a stoichiometric quantity of acylating agents in the presence of sulfamic acid, an environmentally benign catalyst, under organic solvent-free conditions is reported. Excellent yields in the selective acylation and sulfation of carbohydrate derivatives have also been achieved using sulfamic acid as the catalyst. The reaction is fast and the yields were excellent.