A convenient method has been developed for the synthesis of all mono-and di-O-benzyl ethers of methyl α-L-rhamnopyranoside applying a new stereoselective method for the hydrogenolytic ring-cleavage of benzylidene acetals. Using the prepared dibenzyl ethers as aglycones, the (1→ 2)-,(1→ 3)-and (l→ 4)-linked rhamnosyl-rhamnose derivatives (13–15) were synthesised. Hydrogenolysis of the latter compounds and subsequent acetylation ...
