Microwave-assisted saccharide coupling with n-pentenyl glycosyl donors

n-Pentenyl glycosides, armed and disarmed, and n-pentenyl orthoesters couple with acceptors, hindered and unhindered, within 25 min under microwave activation. The reaction takes place in acetonitrile under neutral conditions with N-iodosuccinimide as promotor, which are therefore ideal for use with reactants bearing acid-labile protecting groups. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.