Tin(IV)-functionalised polymer supports; non-toxic and practical reagents for regioselective acetylation of sucrose.

Polymer-supported butyltin(IV) reagents have been surveyed for regioselectivity in acetylation of sucrose. Polymer-supported butyltin(IV) dichloride 8 catalysed the acetylation of sucrose to give a 59% yield of 6-O-acetyl sucrose 3, the precursor of sucralose. The yield is close to that of a previously reported process involving dibutyltin(IV) oxide (Bu2SnO). The spent polymeric resin could readily be regenerated and can be subsequently used in further synthetic reactions.