A note on the esterification of α‐D‐glucopyranosyl phosphate with benzyl halides

Abstract
Esterification of the bis(tetrabutylammonium) salt of α‐D‐glucopyranosyl phosphate (1) with benzyl chloride or bromide in acetonitrile gave α‐D‐glucopyranosyl benzyl phosphate (2) in 80‐90% yield. An excess of benzyl chloride catalysed further reaction to a mixture of six phosphoric acid diesters via phosphoric acid triesters and D‐glucopyranosyl chlorides as intermediates. 1‐Bromohexane gave α‐d‐glucopyranosyl hexyl phosphate by the same method.