Synthesis of C-2 methylene glycosides from C-2 propargyloxymethyl glycals exploiting the alkynophilicity of AuCl3

C-2 Methylene glycosides were synthesized from C-2 propargyloxymethyl glycals in a stereoselective manner using a catalytic quantity of AuCl3. The Au-catalyzed reaction was explored using various aglycones. The current protocol enables the preparation of C-2 methylene glycosides, tolerates diverse functional groups and is fast, catalytic and mild. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.