Selective laccase-mediated oxidation of sugars derivatives

A laccase from Trametes pubescens and the chemical mediator TEMPO have been used to catalyze the regioselective oxidation of the primary hydroxyl groups of sugar derivatives. The efficiency of this system has been initially tested with mono- and disaccharides (i.e., phenyl ²-D-glucopyranoside), and the corresponding glycopyranosiduronates have been isolated and characterized. Subsequently, this chemo-enzymatic approach has been exploited to achieve the partial oxidation of a water soluble cellulose sample.