Synthesis of 2,3-Di-O-palmitoyl-α,α-trehalose via a novel tri-protected trehalose intermediate

2′-,3′–;4,6;4′,6′-Tri-O-cyclohexylidene-α,α-trehalose 4 is prepared from α,α-trehalose, regioselectively acylated at C-2 with palmitate; after further acylation with palmitate at C-3, deacetalisation gives 2,3-di-O-palmitoyl-α,α-trehalose 2.