The etherification of sucrose in aqueous solutions is performed via butadiene telomerization catalysed by palladium complexes. The degree of substitution is evaluated from a combination of analytical techniques including NMR and LSIMS as well as chromatographic and gravimetric measurements. Degrees of substitution ranging from 1 to 6 are obtained depending upon the experimental conditions, particularly temperature, butadiene/sucrose ratio and the nature of catalyst. Thus, the palladium precursor salt and the use of optimum amounts of TPPTS ligand are shown to be critical parameters. The solubility in water of the modified sucrose molecules are substantially modified.