A novel stereospecific synthesis of glycosyl cyanides from 1,2-O-sulfinyl derivatives.

[reaction: see text] An efficient synthesis of 1,2-trans-glycosyl cyanides via 1,2-O-sulfinyl monosaccharides is described. Such S(N)2-type displacements at the anomeric center are stereospecific and are best performed with sodium cyanide in the presence of ytterbium triflate. Significantly, the resulting 1,2-trans-glycosyl cyanides have a free hydroxyl group at C-2 ready for further modification.