Efficient route to 2-deoxy beta-O-aryl-d-glycosides via direct displacement of glycosyl iodides.

[reaction: see text]. The conversion of glycals to 2-deoxy glycosyl acetates followed by reaction with trimethylsilyl iodide affords the corresponding glycosyl iodides, which readily undergo substitution with aryl alkoxy anions to provide 2-deoxy-beta-O-aryl glycosides. Direct displacement of the anomeric iodide alleviates the need to introduce temporary C-2 stereodirecting groups that require subsequent removal. The only observable byproducts from the glycosylations result from elimination of HI giving the starting glycals, which can be recycled through the reaction sequence.