Supramolecular assisted O-acylation of carbohydrates

Abstract

The acylation of hydroxy groups serves as one of the most employed protecting group strategies in carbohydrate chemistry. Here, we present a base-free, supramolecular assisted approach for the O-acylation of carbohydrates under mild conditions, using 18-crown-6 in combination with a catalytic amount of potassium fluoride. This sustainable and useful method successfully converted various functional groups containing carbohydrate hydroxy groups into O-acyl, O-benzoyl, and O-propionyl derivatives with up to 99% yields.