A novel preparation of methyl-β-cyclodextrin from dimethyl carbonate and β-cyclodextrin

A novel green synthesis process about methyl-beta-cyclodextrin has been investigated through the reaction between beta-cyclodextrin and dimethyl carbonate by anhydrous potassium carbonate as catalyst in DMF. The influence of experimental factors including the molar ratio of dimethyl carbonate to beta-cyclodextrin, reaction temperature, and reaction time on the average degree of substitution of methyl-beta-cyclodextrin was studied. The results show that the average degree of substitution of methyl-beta-cyclodextrin can be dependent on the reaction temperature and the molar ratio of raw material primarily. The structures of methyl-beta-cyclodextrin were characterized by TLC, IR, MS, H-1 NMR, and C-13 NMR. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.