Aldol additions of unprotected carbohydrates to 1.3-dicarbonyl compounds have been described. This transformation is based on a dual activation by tertiary amines and 2-hydroxypyridine.
Chain elongations of unprotected carbohydrates via a Knoevenagel-addition are described. The reactions were carried out in the presence of catalytic amounts of tertiary amines. The C-C bond formation processes yielded high syn-stereoselectivities. Additionally, through an asymmetric induction controlled by the configuration of the deployed carbohydrates pyranoid or furanoid products were formed. Yields were strongly increased by the use of 5-protected carbohydrates in these transformations. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.