Iridium catalysis: reductive conversion of glucan to xylan

Abstract

By using iridium catalysed dehydrogenative decarbonylation, we converted a partly protected cellobioside into a fully protected xylobioside. We demonstrate good yields with two different aromatic ester protecting groups. The resulting xylobioside was directly used as glycosyl donor in further synthesis of a xylooctaose.