Synthesis of Heptakis (2-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin

The title compound was prepared by a reaction sequence comprising methylation of heptakis (6-bromo-6-deoxy)-β-cyclodextrin by the Kuhn procedure, regeneration of the primary hydroxyl groups from the resulting heptakis(2-O-methyl-6-bromo-6-deoxy)-β-dextrin via the 6-O-benzoate ester by benzoate exchange and subsequent deesterification. It was proved that the methyl groups in the tetradeca-O-methyl ether of β-dextrin are located 0–2 and 0–6 of the D-glucose residues.