Abstract
Glycolipid-analogous polysaccharides with well-defined structures are of interest in connection with the development of new types of specialty polysaccharides. This review article highlights the following four topics. (1) Emulsan, a naturally occurring microbial surfactant polysaccharide, is an efficient emulsifier. (2) Trialkylcellulose prepared by esterification of cellulose forms Langmuir-Brodget membranes. (3) Cyclodextrins substituted with long alkyl chain in position 6 of each glucose unit are found to form monolayers, which bind guest molecules to assemble host-guest LB membranes. (4) Three types of regiospecifically modified polysaccharides were synthesized via ring-opening polymerizations of anhydro sugar derivatives. (a) 3-O-Octadecyl- (1→6) -α-D-glucopyranan homopolysaccharide, (b) Partially 3-O-octadecylated (1→6) -α-D-glucopyranans, (c) Copolysaccharides consisting of nonsubstituted and 2, 3, 4-tri-O-substituted glucose units. Their functions based on the amphiphilic properties are discussed.
