PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF ALKYL GLYCOSIDES AND ALKYLOLIGOGLYCOSIDES

摘要

23443-470 A process for preparing alkyl glycosides and alkyl oligoglycosides by acid-catalysed reaction of saccharides in an aqueous solution with short-chain alcohols at elevated temperature is disclosed. According to the invention, the reaction is carried out in a counter-current reaction column, preferably at atmospheric pressure. The process requires an equipment simpler than the equipment used for similar known processes and provides products of improved colour. The products of the process are useful as intermediates in the preparation of long-chain alkyl polyglycosides, which have surfactant properties.