Enzymatic synthesis of amino sugar fatty acid esters

N-Acetyl-glucosamine fatty acid esters were synthesized by a lipase-catalyzed transesterification with methyl hexanoate and N-acetyl-glucosamine (GlcNAc), which resulted in the formation of 2-(acetylamino)-2-deoxy-6-O-hexanoate-D-glucose, a novel glycolipid. Additionally N-butyryl-glucosamine (GlcNBu) was used for a similar synthesis, leading to the formation of 2-(butyrylamino)-2-deoxy-6-O-hexanoate-D-glucose. The higher hydrophobicity of GlcNBu led to an increase in the overall yield and the initial reaction rate when compared to the reaction with GlcNAc. By pre-dissolving GlcNAc and GlcNBu in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), it was possible to completely dissolve both sugars in the organic solvent, thus further enhancing the initial reaction rate and yield respectively.