The Preparation of Trimethylsilyl Ethers of the

A method Is described for preparing the trimethylsilyl ethers of the kestoses In aqueous solution over a wide range of concentrations using a reagent consisting of four parts trl-methylsilyllmklazole and one part pyrldlne. Under certain conditions a two phase system Is formed with the kestose derivatives concentrated In the top phase. The kestoses may be quantitatively determined by adding melezitose as an Internal standard to the mixture before sllylation