H2SO4-SiO2: Highly efficient and novel catalyst for the Ferrier-type glycosylation

Sulfuric acid immobilized on silica gel is designed as a very useful catalyst for synthesis of 2,3-unsaturated glycopyranosides. This handy, metal-free, environment friendly transformation provides high yields and α-stereoselectivities in a very few amount (<0.02 eq.) of catalyst and in short reaction times (<10 min).