Microwave-accelerated methylation of starch

A novel microwave-accelerated method for methylating soluble starch is described. Soluble starch could be fully methylated in 72% yield within 4.66 min using iodomethane and 30% potassium hydroxide under microwave irradiation. The completely methylated starch thus obtained was hydrolyzed with 60% HCO2H for 1.5 min under 80% MW power, followed by 0.05 M H2SO4 for 2.0 min under 100% MW power. The partially methylated monosaccharides were separated by preparative paper chromatography and identified by their melting points and optical rotations.

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