Preparation and reductive lithiation of 2-deoxy-D-glucopyranosyl phenylsulfones: A highly stereoselective route to C-glycosides

2-Deoxy-D-glucopyranosyl phenylsulfones 3a–c have been synthesized in 75–83% yield from commercial tri-O-acetyl-D-glucal 1. Their reductive desulfonylation by lithium naphthalenide and reaction of the intermediate glycosyl-lithium 5 with aldehydes leads to α-D-C-glucopyranosides with high stereoselectivity.