Synthesis of thio- and selenoglycosides by cleavage of dichalconides in the presence of zinc/zinc chloride and reaction with glycosyl bromides

A convenient odorless methodology has been devised for the preparation of 1,2-trans-thio- and selenoglycosides through zinc-mediated cleavage of disulfides and diselenides and reaction of the thiolate and selenides formed in situ with glycosyl bromides. The yields were excellent in all cases.