A short synthesis of β-xylobiosides

Benzyl 2,3,2′,3′,4′-penta-O-acetyl-β-xylobioside, 2-nitrophenyl β-xylobioside, 4-nitrophenyl β-xylobioside, and 2-iodobenzyl 1-thio-β-xylobioside were synthesized via a short and highly selective route. β-d-Xylopyranosides were selectively 4-O-triethylsilylated using dibutyltin oxide and triethylsilyl chloride and subsequently 2,3-di-O-acetylated. Desilylation under acidic conditions gave the 4-unprotected xylosides which then were β-d-xylosylated using 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-α-d-xylopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate.