The expeditious preparation and reactivity of some protected forms of gluconolactones

2,3-Bis-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-5,6-O-isopropylidene-d-glucono-1,4-lactone has been easily prepared from commercially available starting material and its activity investigated. Based on the lactone functionality, this compound can proceed via nucleophilic addition, reduction, and hydrolysis to generate various highly functionalized molecules.