Enzyme catalyzed organosilicon carbohydrates

Methods for forming structurally defined organosilicon carbohydrates are provided. Additionally, structurally defined organosilicon carbohydrates are provided. The structurally defined organosilicon carbohydrates may be formed by contacting a hydrolase enzyme with an organosilicon reactant and a carbohydrate reactant. The enzyme may catalyze the formation of an ester bond between carboxylic acid, ester, or amide functional groups of the organosilicon or carbohydrate reactant and alcohol functional groups of the carbohydrate or organosilicon reactant. The enzyme may catalyze the formation of an amide bond between carboxylic acid, ester, or amide functional groups of the organosilicon or carbohydrate reactant and amine functional groups of the carbohydrate or organosilicon reactant.