Sodium hypochlorite oxidation catalysed by 2,2,6,6,-tetramethylpiperid
ine 1-oxide (TEMPO) is shown to be a mild and efficient approach to th
e title uronates. In the gluco, galacto, allo, and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy
-gluco series, the corresponding beta- or alpha- and beta-glycosyl azi
des could be smoothly oxidised and alternative preparations are compar
ed to this access.