Process for making a cyclodextrin

摘要

Sulfoalkyl ether cyclodextrins are produced by a process of treating an unsubstituted cyclodextrin starting material with an alkyl sultone in the presence of a base. The base is added in a stepwise, pH controlled manner so that substantially the entire initial charge of cyclodextrin starting material is at least partially reacted. Additional base is then added to complete the reaction, and residual alkyl suftone is destroyed. The product advantageously contains low levels of both residual cyclodextrin and residual alkyl sultone.