Organocatalysis for the Acid-Free O-Arylidenation of Carbohydrates

Methyl glycopyranosides of glucose, galactose, and mannose, their 2,3-di-O-benzyl-protected derivatives, as well as the unprotected sugars react with p-methoxybenzaldehyde dimethyl acetal (3) and with benzaldehyde dimethyl acetal (7) as reagents in the presence of thiourea 1 or squaramide 2 as the organocatalyst to afford regioselectively 4,6-O-arylidenated derivatives 5 and 8. With an excess amount of 3 or 7, diarylidenated derivatives are also obtained. In situ formation of acetals of type 3 and 7 from corresponding aldehydes 10 and 13 in the presence of an orthoester and organocatalyst 1 or 2 can be used to generate 5 and 8 directly from the aldehydes. Some substrates also lead to mixed orthoesters with this procedure. The reaction courses are discussed.