Branched chain sugars synthetic approach

The recognition of the usefulness of radical reactions as a synthetic tool has prompted the exploration of this method for branched-chain sugars synthesis. Radical addition to an olefin is one of the most popular reactions yet investigated [10], Two approaches have been devised an intramolecular version, which is mostly a 5-exo cyclization and an inter-molecular version in which the radical is trapped by an activated olefin. 

A similar approach to branched-chain aldonolactone sugars has been recently reported by Mattay." Lithium aluminum hydride reduction of photoproduct (36) afforded the desired alcohol which rearranged under acidic conditions to the deoxygenated apiose derivative (38). This process is notable since such reductions usually proceed with cleavage of the oxetane moiety. Also noteworthy are the rapid assemblage of highly oxygenated functionality and the ease of the synthetic procedure. 

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