Highly selective indium mediated allylation of unprotected pentosylamines

Abstract

A straightforward functionalization of D-pentoses is reported, which affords homoallylaminopolyols in two steps and uses ion exchange chromatography as the only purification operation. The key indium-mediated allylation is effected on unprotected glycosylamines and occurs with good to excellent syn stereoselection. Validation of the synthetic utility of the method was exemplified by a 3-step synthesis of an optically active 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine from D-xylose.