Copper mediated stereoselective synthesis of C-glycosides from unactivated alkynes.

A highly stereoselective rapid C-glycosylation reaction has been developed between glycal and unactivated alkynes in the presence of coppertriflate and ascorbic acid at low catalyst loading and at room temperature. A wide variety of glycals and aryl acetylenes participate in the reaction smoothly. TfOH generated during the reduction of Cu(OTf)2 by ascorbic acid may be the active catalyst for the glycosylation.