Reaction of 1,2-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-xylofuranurononitrile with ph
enylmagnesium bromide in the mole ratio of 1 : 3 afforded 5 iphenyl-1,
2-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-xylofuranose. Its structure was proved by s
pecial NMR techniques. The imine expected from the addition reaction o
f Grignard reagent on the nitrile group was not isolated.