An efficient and direct esterification of uronic acids using H2SO4-SiO2 at room temperature

Abstract

A simple and convenient method for the esterification of various monosaccharide and disaccharide uronic acids, derived from glucose, galactose and mannose, was developed with different alcohols using the eco-friendly catalyst silica-sulphuric acid (H2SO4-SiO2). The esterification reactions proceeded at room temperature under mild conditions with excellent yields. Under the standard reaction conditions, various sensitive protecting groups, including acetyl, benzoyl, pivaloyl, isopropylidene, benzyl, naphthyl, etc., were well tolerated. Partially protected uronic acids underwent esterification without undergoing self-condensation reactions.