The chemistry of <i>D</i>‐gluconic acid derivatives. Part 1: Synthesis of 3,4;5,6‐di‐O‐isopropylidene‐<i>D</i>‐glucitol and 2,3;4,5‐di‐O‐isopropylidene‐<i>aldehydo</i>‐<i>D</i>‐arabinose from <i>D</i>‐glucono‐1,5‐lactone

Abstract

Abstract Acid‐catalysed isopropylidenation of D ‐glucono‐1,5‐lactone with 2,2‐dimethoxypropane yields methyl 3,4;5,6‐di‐ O ‐isopropylidene‐ D ‐gluconate. Convenient syntheses of the title compounds from this ester by reduction and oxidation sequences, together with the characterisation of the products and intermediates are described.