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.