Oligosaccharide synthesis hydrolytic reaction

The synthesis of di- or trisaccharides by condensation of mono- or disaccharides by reversal of the hydrolytic reaction is difficult due to unfavorable equilibrium, and yields of products are usually low. Reaction conditions must be tuned to shift the equilibrium, normally by increasing substrate concentrations. This is feasible, given the high solubility of sugars in buffer solutions. For example, mannose oligosaccharides were synthesised via reversal of the... 

In oligosaccharide synthesis via transglycosylation the reaction is kinetically controlled, and the extent of oligosaccharide formation depends on the partition ratio of the glycosyl-enzyme intermediate between the transfer and hydrolytic reaction (Scheme 1). 

Under conditions that favor reversal of their normal hydrolytic reaction, retaining glycosidases have been extensively used as catalysts in oligosaccharide synthesis [212-216],... 

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