Facile conversion of O-silyl protected sugars into their corresponding formates using POCl3·DMF complex

The direct O-formylation of two selectively protected sugar derivatives using the Vilsmeier–Haack (V–H) complex POCl3·DMF was studied. Primary O-TBDMS and O-TBDPS ethers of sucrose, the most common disaccharide, underwent regio and chemoselective O-formylation with this formylating agent. This conversion was also studied with a monosaccharide analogue.