Synthesis of glycosyl phosphates from acetylated glycosyl nitrates

Acetylated alpha-glycosyl nitrates were efficiently converted under mild co nditions into protected beta-glycosyl phosphates by treatment with cesium d ibenzyl phosphate or into thermodynamically more stable alpha-glycosyl phos phate derivatives upon interaction with cesium diphenyl phosphate, These re actions were found to be applicable both to 2-azido-2,6-dideoxy- and 2-azid o-2-deoxygalactopyranosyl nitrates as well as to 6-deoxygalactopyranosyl an d galactopyranosyl derivatives. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r eserved.