Synthetic conversion of cellobiose into the glycal-type monomers and their polymerization

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(98)01176-9

A pair of disaccharidic glycals thoroughly O-benzylated except the 4'- or the 6'-hydroxyl groups were prepared as the monomers for iodonium ion- promoted polymerization, which proceeded under dark conditions to give polysaccharides of more than DP 12 (24 saccharide). Reductive removal of the iodine atom and subsequent deprotection gave polysaccharides alternatively composed of β-D-glucopyranosyl and 2-deoxy-α,β-D-glucopyranosyl residues.