Alkylalanes and methyl furanosides: regioselective O-debenzylation or acetal cleavage

Perbenzylated methyl pentofuranosides were submitted to the action of three alkylalanes and regioselective debenzylation at O-2 of the four pentoses was observed when choosing the right match between anomeric configuration and aluminium reagent. Diisobutylalane (DIBAL-H) allowed an easy access to reduced open-chain compounds, whereas trimethylalane (TMAL) stereoselectively produced methylated open chain derivatives.