Large scale synthesis of the acetonides of l-glucuronolactone and of l-glucose: easy access to l-sugar chirons

1,2-O-Isopropylidene-α-l-glucurono-3,6-lactone may be synthesized on a 100-200 g scale from cheaply available d-glucoheptonolactone in an overall yield of 94% in four steps via l-glucuronolactone. Subsequent elaboration to l-glucose, diacetone-l-glucose (1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-l-glucofuranose), and monoacetone-l-glucose (1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-l-glucofuranose) allows easy access to a range of l-sugar chirons.