Synthesis of glycosylamines and glyconamides using molecular iodine

We describe herein the synthesis of glyconamides and glycosylamines using molecular iodine on benzylated carbohydrates. During the improvement and the optimization of the direct oxidative amidation reaction, we also discovered the possibility to form glycosylamines with excellent yields and short reaction times in comparison with the previously reported procedures. Advantages of these methods are the operational simplicity, elimination of use of complicated reagents and procedures, and generality of the reactions. Our methodology is an excellent access to precursors of N-alkyliminosugars and imino-C-glycosides.