The photodeoxygenation of sugar esters of aliphatic acids in hexamethylphosphorictriamide (HMPT) and mixtures thereof with water, is initiated by photoionization of HMPT. The solvatedelectron thus formed, reduces the ester to its radical anion, which is an intermediate for both the formation of the deoxy sugar and the reproduction of the corresponding alcohol. A separation of the carboxylate anion