Sucrose esterification under Mitsunobu conditions:: evidence for the formation of 6-0-acyl-3',6'-anhydrosucrose besides mono and diesters of fatty acids

A series of sucrose monoesters and homogeneous or mixed diesters, which have various chain lengths and saturation levels, were prepared under Mitsunobu conditions with good regioselectivity. Among the anhydro derivatives arising from competitive intramotecular etherification, 3,6'-anhydrosucrose 6-O-monoesters, which have never been reported, were identified. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.