Synthesis of glyco-1-ynitols via 1,1-dibromo-1-alkenes from partially and unprotected aldoses

We report the synthesis of 1,1-dibromo-1-alkenes from partially and unprotected aldoses and the synthesis of glyco-1-ynitols from these dibromocompounds. The 1,1-dibromo-1-alkenes were obtained by the reaction of dibromomethyl-triphenylphosphonium bromide in the presence of zinc in refluxing 1,4-dioxane. As an example, when the reaction is performed on 2-deoxy-5-O-trityl-d-ribofuranose () the corresponding 1,1-dibromo-1-olefin, (2R,3S)-6,6-dibromo-1-O-trityl-hex-5-ene-1,2,3-triol (), is obtained in 89% yield. These smooth reaction conditions led also to the achievement of the other olefins from other sugars with good yields (44–90%). The reaction of these olefins with n-butyllithium in THF at low temperature afforded the corresponding alkynes. So the reaction of (2R,3S)-6,6-dibromo-1-O-trityl-hex-5-ene-1,2,3-triol () with this alkyllithium reagent led to (2R,3S)-1-O-trityl-hex-5-yne-1,2,3-triol () in 87% yield. Other glyco-1-ynitols were obtained with satisfying yields (64–87%).