Intramolecular 1,8-Hydrogen Atom Transfer. Stereoselectivity of the Hexopyranos-5′-yl Radical Reactions in Hexp-(1→4)-HexpDisaccharide Systems

The stereoselective reduction of hexopyranos-5'-yl radicals in alpha-D-Hex p-(1-->4)-D-Hex p disaccharide models is described. These radicals are generated from a 6-O-yl radical located in the other monosaccharic unit through a 1,8-hydrogen atom transfer. The reaction, which is strongly influenced by steric and stereoelectronic effects, permits in some cases the transformation of alpha-D-Hex p-(1-->4)-D-Hex p into beta-L-Hex p-(1-->4)-D-Hex p disaccharides in a single step with high diastereoselectivity.