The use of a new magnesium-derived hydride reagent for carbohydrate derivatives

The magnesium hydride based reagent in THF solution is an excellent tool fo r the stereoselective reduction of different uloside derivatives. Sugar azi des, sulfonyl esters give aminosugars and methylose derivatives without aff ecting other functionalities. Halogenated sugars or methylene derivatives a re stable under these conditions. The reagent can be applied in the presenc e of a wide variety of blocking groups (acetals, benzyl and allyl ethers, i mides, C=C bonds) generally used in the carbohydrate chemistry.