Direct conversion of xylan into alkyl pentosides

Xylan has been used as a raw material in the synthesis of butyl, octyl and decyl glycosides. Mixtures of d-xylose-, l-arabinose- and d-glucose-based surfactants were obtained under smooth conditions with high yields in a one-pot process. The surface activities of octyl and decyl glycosides thus obtained have been studied and compared with that of pure alkyl d-xylosides. The results have confirmed that the new synthetic approach described in this paper is a potentially economical and efficient method for the preparation of environmentally friendly surfactants.

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