Stereoselectivity in the Hydroboration of C4-C-Methylene Groups

Conditions for the hydroxylation of an exocyclic methylene group at C4 of a pyranoside ring via hydroboration have been examined with a view to determining the optimum procedure for obtaining the axially-oriented C4-CH 2 OH group. The regio- and stereochemical outcome of the reactions rely not only on the hydroborating reagent used, but, to a surprising degree, on the nature of the protecting group at the "remote" C6-OH. Silyl ethers are preferred because the only by-product formed is the tertiary alcohol, which can be recycled through dehydration to the starting alkene by treatment with thionyl chloride.