PREPARATIVE-SCALE SYNTHESIS OF O-GLYCOSIDES AND OF A DISACCHARIDE BY ELECTROCHEMICAL OXIDATION OF PHENYL S-GLYCOSIDES

O-glycosides were synthesized by electrochemical oxidation of phenyl S -glycosides in the presence of primary alcohols in acetonitrile. Simil arly, a beta-linked disaccharide was obtained selectively by oxidation of phenyl S-glycoside in the presence of a sugar alcohol. Electrosynt heses were performed under controlled potential or at constant current , in an undivided cell, on a large scale. 1 to 60 g of phenyl S-glycos ides in 0.5 to 1 dm3 of acetonitrile were converted with chemical yiel ds in the range of 65-75%.