Ambident anions derived from phosphorus monothio acids have been glycosylated by 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl-, 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-galactopyranosyl- and 2,3,4-tri-acetyl-α-D-xylopyranosyl bromides, yielding β-S-glycosyl- and /gb-O-glycosylthioates. The S/O ratio of the glycosylated phosphorothioates depends markedly on the salt used. Ammonium salts favour the formation of S-derivatives, whereas silver salts give mainly O-derivatives. O-Glucosyl phosphorothioate undergoes thermal isomerisation to S-glucosyl phosphorothioate, with retention of configuration at the glycosylic centre. The implications of this stereochemical result are briefly discussed.
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