A Domino Epoxide Ring-Opening Xanthate Migration Reaction: An Alternative Entry to Thiosugars

Abstract

A sterereospecific and efficient synthesis of thiosugars derived from levoglucosenone and methyl α-d-glucopyranoside was developed by a domino epoxide ring opening- xanthate migration to afford 1,3-oxathiolane-2-thiones in high yields. The stereochemical outcome of the new C–S bond was defined by the configuration of the starting materials. The 1,3-oxathiolane-2-thiones were subsequently submitted to a second tandem reaction affording the corresponding 2,3-episulfide alcohols. The thiosugars obtained are useful building blocks for the synthesis of thiooligosaccharides with potential biological properties.