Novel reagent system for converting a hydroxy-group into an iodo-group in carbohydrates with inversion of configuration

Abstract

Efficient conversions of primary and secondary hydroxy-groups into iodo-groups, with inversion, in carbohydrates are described using either triphenylphosphine, iodine, and imidazole or triphenylphosphine and 2,4,5-tri-iodoimidazole in toluene at elevated temperature.