Acetolysis benzyl ethers, selective

Regioselective debenzylation can be achieved by treatment with Lewis acids such as ferric chloride and S11CI4 or under acetolysis conditions with acetic anhydride and sulfuric acid, and several examples are depicted in Scheme 2.3.9 Acetolysis results in cleavage of the most acid-sensitive benzyl group. In general, primary benzyl ethers can be selectively acetolysed in the presence of secondary benzyl ethers. The regioselectivity of the reaction can be explained as follows sulfuric acid protonates acetic anhydride followed by the formation of an acetyl ion and acetic acid. The acetyl ion reacts with the sterically most accessible oxygen which is at... 

Acetylation. Rapid peracetylation of carbohydrates can be effected in the presence of iodine. With more iodine and longer reaction times the selective acetolysis of primary benzyl ethers is achieved. Perbenzyl ethers of mono- and disaccharides undergo group exchange (OBn —> OAc) at the primary carbon atoms on treatment with ACjO-HOAc-ZnClj. 

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