The influence of microwave irradiation on stereospecific Mo(VI)-catalyzed transformation of deoxysugars

The stereospecific mutual isomerization of 5-, 6-, and 7-deoxysugars in a microwave field with Mo(VI) as a catalyst is reported. The reaction cycle allows the use of catalytic amounts of molybdate ions to form highly reactive catalytically active dimolybdate complexes that create conditions for stereospecific intramolecular rearrangement. The microwave-enhanced Mo(VI)-catalyzed transformation of deoxyaldoses occurred with full stereospecificity resulting in the formation of the corresponding epi-deoxyaldoses in very good yields. The microwave field has a substantial effect on the transformation studied.