A wide variety of unprotected sugars were acylated in high-yields with
non-activated fatty acids in a regioselective manner using commercial
lipase preparations. The reactions were performed in a (mainly) solid
phase in the presence of an organic solvent, serving as adjuvant to m
aintain a small catalytic liquid phase. Optimum conditions were found
using solvents with a low log P value such as acetone or dioxane, lipa
se from Candida antarctica (Novo SP 435) and saturated fatty acids wit
h chain lengths from C-12 to C-18 as acyl donors. The esterification o
f beta-D(+)-glucose with palmitic acid resulted in up to 86% conversio
n after 48 h and a productivity of 0.4 mmol 6-O-beta-D(+)glucose palmi
tate per gram lipase and hour. alpha-D(+)-Glucose, sorbitol, D(+)-mann
ose and mannitol were also successfully acylated.