Synthesis of benzylidenated hexopyranosides in ionic liquids.

The synthesis of 4,6-O-benzylidenated monosaccharides and disaccharides has been studied using ionic liquids as a unique solvent alternative. An examination of several imidazolium ionic liquids indicates that the benzylidenation of hexopyranosides in 3-butyl-1-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [bmim]BF4, gives the highest yields for most of the substrates, and that this solvent system could be readily recycled.