Imidazole Promoted Efficient Anomerization of β-D-Glucose Pentaacetate

Anomerization of glycosides were rarely performed under basic condition due to lack of efficiency. Here an imidazole promoted anomerization of β-D-glucose pentaacetate was developed; and the reaction was very efficient and full conversion could be achieved within an hour in several anhydrous solvents. Subsequently a new intramolecular mechanism was proposed based on investigation and following which anomerization of broad β-C(O)-O-glucosides might be expected in the future.