Stereochemistry in the synthesis and reaction of exo-glycals.

Two general methods are explored for the stereoselective synthesis of exo-glycals. One method utilizes a nucleophilic addition of fully protected sugar lactones of gluco-, galacto-, and manno-types, followed by the subsequent dehydration, to give the desired exo-glycals with (Z)-configuration. The other method proceeds with selenylation of C-glycosides in a stereoselective manner. The subsequent selenoxide elimination also provides (Z)-exo-glycals. The prepared exo-glycal conjugated esters of either gluco- or manno-type react with allyl alcohol to give exclusively alpha-anomers.