Tropolonyl ethers of saccharides and cyclitol derivatives

Mitsunobu coupling between tropolones and saccharide or cyclitol derivatives featuring primary or secondary alcohol functions provides for the first time an easy, general and efficient access to the corresponding tropolonyl ethers. Selective deprotection of the carbohydrate or cyclitol units demonstrates that naked saccharides and cyclitols bearing a tropolonyl ether moiety may be prepared by this route.