Methyl 1,2-Orthoesters as Useful Glycosyl Donors in Glycosylation Reactions: A Comparison with n-Pent-4-enyl 1,2-Orthoesters

Mannopyranose-derived methyl 1,2-orthoacetates (R = Me) and -benzoates (R = Ph) can function as glycosyl donors upon BF3 center dot Et2O activation in CH2Cl2 in glycosylation reactions with monosaccharide acceptors to afford disaccharides in good yields. In the process, glycosylation is preferred to acid-catalyzed rearrangement leading to methyl mannopyranosides. Methyl 1,2-orthoesters can be also used in regioselective glycosylation protocols with monosaccharide diols, in which they display good regioselectivity.