Di-d-fructose dianhydrides from the pyrolysis of inulin

Inulin was pyrolyzed in air to produce di-d-fructose dianhydrides (DFDAs) in ∼26% yield, three of which were identified by MS, NMR, and comparison with literature data. The mass spectra of the per-O-trimethylsilyl derivatives of the DFDAs are discussed. A mechanism is proposed for the formation of DFDAs from inulin during pyrolysis.