Chain elongated 2,4-diuloses 2, 4, 6, 9-11, 24, 25 were conveniently o
btained from the corresponding aldonolactones 1, 3, 5 by their reactio
n with carbonyl compounds in the presence of sodium hydride. These hem
iacetalic products can be transformed into C-glycosides by deoxygenati
on with Et(3)SiH/BF3 . Et(2)O. (C) 1997, Elsevier Science Ltd.