A facile synthesis of Cerny epoxides and selectively blocked derivatives of 2-azido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranose

1,6:2,3-Dianhydro-β-d-glucopyranose and its 3-alkylated derivatives were prepared from d-glucal in one pot with overall isolated yields of 60–70%, and these Cerny epoxides were further conveniently converted to selectively blocked 2-azido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranose derivatives by azido opening of the epoxide ring.