[structure: see text]Derivatization with (+)- and (-)-chloromenthoxydiphenylsilane was used to determine the absolute configuration of the insect defensive agent pinoresinol (1). Although the (1)H NMR chemical shift differences of the resulting two diastereomers are small, (1)H NMR spectroscopy provided for the unambiguous assignment of the natural product's configuration. For this purpose, a n...

Another excellent and comprehensive annual ‘update’ review of the 2000 literature relating to protecting group (PG) strategies in organic synthesis has appeared this year. The employment of PGs to direct ‘docking’ at oxidative enzyme active sites thereby controlling subsequent hydroxylation of unactivated carbon atoms has also been overviewed. Moreover, a summary of the use of microwave (MW) he...

A new method for the intramolecular glycosylation of alcohols is described. Utilizing carbohydrate-derived silanes, the catalytic dehydrogenative silylation of alcohols is followed by intramolecular glycosylation. Appropriate combinations of silane position and protecting groups allow highly selective access to β-manno, α-gluco, or β-gluco stereochemical relationships as well as 2-azido-2-deoxy...