Mild Synthesis of Protected α-D-Glycosyl Iodides

α-D-Glycosyl iodides are stereoselectively obtained by iodine replacement of the free anomeric hydroxyl group of fully protected sugars treated with a polymer bound triarylphosphane-iodine complex and imidazole. High yields and mild conditions, compatible with all the common protecting groups used in carbohydrate chemistry, characterize the conversion.