Recovery of methylated saccharides from methylation reaction mixtures using Sep-Pak C18 cartridges.

Methylated oligo- and polysaccharides can be rapidly and efficiently separated from the reaction mixtures used to methylate them using a Waters C18 Sep-Pak cartridge. The methylated saccharides are retained by the Sep-Pak as the reaction mixture, diluted fivefold with water, is passed through. Extraneous materials are washed away with water, and then the sugars are eluted with 50 or 100% methanol. Samples of up to approximately 4 mg can be accommodated. Extremely small samples (10-50 micrograms) can also be purified.