Hexopyranose polymerization

During the past ten years, the l,6-anhydro-/3-D-hexopyranoses have found wide application in the synthesis of hexoses and their derivatives, and of oligosaccharides, and for polymerization to polysaccharides. They can be used as model compounds in studying the physical and chemical properties of monosaccharides, as has been shown, for example, by nuclear magnetic resonance (n.m.r.) studies, and also by studies of (a) their chiroptical properties, (b) the partial reactivity of hydroxyl groups, and (c) their ability to form complexes. 

Figure 7.1 Synthesis of hyperbranched polysaccharide (Polyla-c) by cationic ring-opening polymerization of l,6-anhydro-j5-D-hexopyranose (la-c).

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