Reductive Ring Openings of Carbohydrate Benzylidene Acetals Using Borane-Trimethylamine and Aluminium Chloride. Regioselectivity and Solvent Dependance

Abstract
Regioselective reductive ring openings of 4, 6-O-benzylidene acetals of hexopyranosides are described using borane trimethylamine-aluminium chloride. Using toluene as solvent, 4-O-benzyl ethers with the 6-OH free are obtained. Using tetrahydrofuran as solvent. 6-O-benzyl ethers with the 4-OH free are obtained.