Development of sustainable esterification reactions and the transformation of carbohydrates into applicable building blocks

This thesis showcases some developments in chemical processes and synthesis leading to products of commercial interest. The thesis includes studies on esterification reactions to improve the catalysis of these reactions. In addition, deoxydehydration (DODH) reactions of alkyl glycosides are studied and illustrated. DODH reactions were performed to convert alkyl glycosides into diols, by eliminating a cis-diol moiety in pyranosides to result in alkenes and alkanes. Furthermore, this thesis presents the transformation of some common alkyl glycosides into their rare counterparts (C3-epimers) by sequential C3-oxidation and heterogeneous hydrogenation. Finally, the development of novel fructose-based surfactants from fructose and its derived saccharides is studied and discussed.