10.1016/j.tet.2007.12.005
The research focuses on the development of practical methods for the synthesis of deoxy sugars, specifically 5-deoxy-glycofuranosides, through a photoinduced electron-transfer (PET) reaction using 9-methylcarbazole (MCZ) as a photosensitizer. The study aimed to improve upon existing methods by utilizing the carboxylic group's assistance in the deoxygenation process, which significantly reduced the required irradiation time. The researchers applied this method to derivatives of D-galacturonic acid and D-glucofuranosidurono-6,3-lactone, successfully synthesizing 5-deoxy-galacto and glucofuranosides. The conclusions of the research highlighted the efficiency of the PET deoxygenation method, the selectivity for the reduction at the α-carbonyl position, and the potential of this approach to avoid the use of metal hydrides, thus offering a more environmentally friendly alternative for the synthesis of deoxy sugars, which are important for enzymatic characterization and the synthesis of natural products from carbohydrate precursors.