Synthesis of uronic acid derivatives from 1,2;3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-galacto-hexodialdopyranose and aldulosonic acid derivatives from 2,3;4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-β-d-arabino-hexos-2-ulopyranose

A facile method for the formation of uronic and aldulosonic acids derivatives is described involving reaction of lithium dianions of carboxylic acids with aldehydo-sugar derivatives. Acetic, propanoic, phenylacetic, 3,3-dimethylacrylic, crotonic, and sorbic acids were the acids used for the preparation of the lithium dianions, and galactose and fructose were used for preparation of the aldehydo derivatives.