A novel glycosidation of glycosyl fluoride using a designed ionic liquid and its effect on the stereoselectivity

The glycosidations of glucopyranosyl fluoride and alcohols using an ionic liquid containing a protic acid effectively proceeded under mild conditions to afford the corresponding glycosides in good to high yields. The stereoselectivity of the glycosidation was significantly affected by the ionic liquid solvent. 1-n-Hexyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate (C₆mim[OTf]), containing a trifluoromethanesulfonate anion, and 1-(3-cyanopropyl)-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonimidide (CNC₃mim[NTf₂]), possessing a cyano group at the side chain of the imidazolium cation, gave the β-stereoselectivity.