BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS OF SYNTHETIC POLYSACCHARIDES

Structurally well-defined polysaccharide derivatives have been synthesized via ring-opening polymerization of bicyclic anhydro sugar derivatives and via enzyme-catalyzed polymerization using phosphorylase. This article describes the following four synthetic polysaccharides. (a) Octadecylated amphiphilic polysaccharides. (b) Regiospecifically fluorinated polysaccharide. (c) Comb-shaped branched polysaccharide. (d) Craft. copolymers having pendant polysaccharide chains. None of these polysaccharides could be prepared by direct chemical modifications of natural polysaccharides. The synthetic polysaccharides are useful as tools to elucidate structure-function relationships and exhibit various novel biofunctional properties.