Selective synthesis of Neu5Ac2en and its oxazoline derivative using BF3·Et2O

Application of the Lewis acid BF3·Et2O to the selective synthesis of 5-acetamido-2,6-anhydro-3,5-dideoxy-d-glycero-d-galacto-non-2-enonic acid (Neu5Ac2en) and the related oxazoline, methyl 7,8,9-tri-O-acetyl-2,3,4,5-tetradeoxy-2,3-didehydro-2,3-trideoxy-4′,5′-dihydro-2′-methyloxazolo[5,4-d]- d-glycero-d-talo-non-2-enonate is described.