The first ring inversion of pyranoses induced by bulky silyl protections at the 2- and 3-positions

The pyranose rings of the 2,3-bis-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-α- and β-d-glucopyranoses, and of the 2,3-bis-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-β-d-glucopyranose were in the ¹C₄ form. These findings indicate that the introduction of bulky silyl protecting groups at the 2- and 3-positions can flip a pyranose ring into the axial-rich chair form. Previous such ring inversions have been carried out by the silyl protections at the 3- and 4-positions.