Abstract We have synthesized a series of monoesters from D-glucose corresponding to the structures 3-O-acyl, 6-O-acyl-1, 2-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose and 3-O-acyl-D- glucose, following the sequence of reactions: D-glucose→ diacetone glucose→ acylation→ partial or total deprotection. These compounds were prepared as either potential non-ionic surfactants (fatty acid esters and perfluoroalkylated ester) or antitumour drugs (n-butyric ...