Reaction of D‐fructose, D‐glucose and inulin with alcohols in the presence of iodine; a novel glycosidation procedure

An efficient procedure for the glycosidation of D-fructose and D-glucose catalyzed by iodine is described. The reaction yields mainly alkyl glycofuranosides. Treatment of inulin under similar conditions leads to inter-glycosidic bond cleavage and to formation of alkyl D-fructofuranosides. The reaction conditions are particularly mild and relatively selective.