LaCl3·7H2O/NaI/benzyl alcohol: a novel reagent system for regioselective hydration of glycals: application in the synthesis of 1,6-dideoxynojirimycin

Glycals can be readily hydrated using the LaCl3·7H2O/NaI/PhCH2OH reagent system. In one case, having an exo methylene group, such hydration gives an intermediate which is readily converted into 1,6-dideoxynojirimycin, a potential enzyme inhibitor.