SYNTHESIS OF 4-O-METHYL-L-ARABINOSE

Abstract
4-O-Methyl-L-arabinose has been synthesized from ethyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-α-L-arabinofuranoside by successive methanolysis, methylation, debenzylation, and hydrolysis; a proof of structure is presented. Ethyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-α-L-arabinofuranoside yielded 57% furanoside and 43% pyranoside at equilibrium in methanolic hydrogen chloride.