Efficient conditions for the synthesis of C-glycosylidene derivatives:: a direct and stereoselective route to C-glycosyl compounds

Efficient conditions for the synthesis of C-glycosylidene compounds from lactones based on Wittig reactions of cyanomethyl triphenylphospholanylidene involving microwave heating are described: subsequent stereoselective reduction of the anomeric olefins gave the corresponding C-glycosides in good yields with high stereocontrol. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.