Abstract The synthesis of 1, 2-O-cyanoethylidene derivatives (CED) of alkyl glycopyranuronates with the d-Glc, d-Gal, and d-Man configurations is described by oxidation of the 3, 4-di-O-acetyl-6-O-trityl-CED-hexose analogues with the Jones reagent [chromium (VI) oxide-sulfuric acid]. The isopropylidenation of hydroxyl-containing triphenylmethyl ethers is demonstrated.