Chain Elongation of Aldonolactones

Abstract
As an alternative to the classical Reformatsky-type branching reaction of aldonolactones, ethyl trimethylsilylacetate, methyl 2-trimethylsilyl-propionate, trimethylsilylacetonitrile or alkyl 2-(trimethylsilylmethyl)-acrylates in the presence of catalytic amounts of tetra-n-butyl-ammonium fluoride can be used. The corresponding chain elongated monosaccharides are obtained in high yields.