Organosilicon-mediated regioselective acetylation of carbohydrates

Organosilicon-mediated, regioselective acetylation of vicinal- and 1,3-diols is presented. Methyl trimethoxysilane or dimethyl dimethoxysilane was first used to form cyclic 1,3,2-dioxasilolane or 1,3,2-dioxasilinane intermediates, and subsequent acetate-catalyzed monoacylation was efficiently performed by addition of acetic anhydride or acetyl chloride under mild conditions. The reaction exhibited high regioselectivity, resulting in the same protection pattern as in organotin-mediated schemes.