A Metathesis Approach for the Preparation of Polyhydroxylated Compounds as Head Groups in Surfactant Synthesis

Abstract

Abstract Starting from methyl‐α‐ D ‐glucopyranoside, an efficient protocol for the preparation of polyhydroxylated surfactant head‐groups is demonstrated and applied in the synthesis of a typical surfactant. The key transformation is a metathesis reaction between two monosaccharide residues to afford an octahydroxydecen. The importance of a strategic protecting‐group constellation for a successful metathesis reaction is also investigated. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)