Primary hydroxyl groups, selective protection strategies

Because of the polyfunctional nature of carbohydrates, protective-group strategy plays an important role in synthetic methodology involving this class of compounds. In the present Chapter, results are described from a study of the utility of N-trimethylsilyl- and N-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-phthalimide for the selective silylation of primary hydroxyl groups in carbohydrates. Also described, is a new, facile method for cleavage of acetals and dithioacetals in carbohydrate derivatives the method involves treatment of the derivatives with a dilute solution of iodine in methanol. 

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