Regioselective debenzylation of C-glycosyl compounds by boron trichloride.

Boron trichloride has been found to promote selective deprotection of 1,2- or 1,3-cis oriented secondary benzyl ethers of per-benzylated C-glycosyl derivatives. The reactivity towards BCl(3) follows the order: C-4>or=C-2>C-6>C-3 for C-glucopyranosyl derivatives and C-3>or=C-4>C-6>C-2 for C-galactopyranosyl derivatives. Preparatively useful selective debenzylation at secondary positions was possible after careful control of reaction conditions.