Sucrose chemistry intermediates

Sucrochemistry is already more than 50 years old, and has become a field of carbohydrate chemistry on its own. Indeed, considerable progress has been achieved in the monitoring of the chemical reactivity of sucrose, with the efforts of many research teams who have built on the steps of a few pioneers. Many sucrose derivatives can now be prepared, and sophisticated synthons as well as simple substituted compounds have been reported. However, only a few examples have yet reached the level of the industrial development, and these are mainly in the field of food and cosmetic additives and surfactants. Various polymers, additives for materials, and some chemical intermediates have also been produced. Bioconversions are certainly a major avenue for using sucrose as a starting material, and ethanol production will increase as a consequence of high oil prices. Current awareness of the shortage of fossil resources emphasizes the potential for chemical transformations of sucrose in providing new uses of this abundant natural resource. 

The value of sugar epoxides as synthetic intermediates is well-known in carbohydrate chemistry. Synthesis of sucrose epoxides hitherto has not been repor-... 

Beyond the use of ethyl alcohol as a beverage, solvent or transportation fuel, the alcoholic fermentation of sucrose opens a pathway to an alternative C2 chemistry starting from ethanol as a reactive chemical intermediate and building block" and applying technologies that are well-established unit operations in the chemical industry. 

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