10.1016/S0008-6215(00)90756-0
The research aimed to achieve the total synthesis of higher-carbon sugars, specifically focusing on the synthesis of methyl 3,4,5-tri-O-acetyl-1,7-di-O-benzyl-α-DL-gulo-hept-2-ulopyranoside. The purpose of this study was to expand upon the methods of synthesizing monosaccharides from furan compounds, particularly targeting the preparation of hex-2-uloses, which are a common type of ketose sugar. The researchers successfully synthesized a racemic α-DL-hept-2-ulopyranoside derivative from a non-sugar precursor, marking a significant advancement in the field of carbohydrate chemistry. The process involved a series of chemical reactions, including reduction, benzylation, hydrolysis, and acetylation, utilizing chemicals such as butyl glyoxylate, lithium aluminium hydride, toluene-p-sulphonic acid, and various benzyl-protected compounds. The conclusions of the study detailed the successful synthesis of the target compound through a series of stereoselective reactions, which not only demonstrated the viability of the approach but also opened up new avenues for the synthesis of complex carbohydrate structures.