Ring-contraction vs ring-expansion reactions of spiro-cyclopropanecarboxylated sugars.

Electrophilic ring opening of spiro-cyclopropanecarboxylated sugars followed by reaction with DBU revealed interesting ring-contraction and ring-expansion reactions depending on the substrate and the kind of hydroxyl protective group present adjacent to the spiro center. A stereoselective method for accessing a new class of carbon chain extended keto-furanoses and C-glycosylated bicyclic compounds is reported.