SUBSTITUTION OF ACYCLIC SUGAR ACETALS: RATE OF PERCHLORIC ACID CATALYZED ACETOLYSIS OF 2,3,4,5,6-PENTA-O-ACETYL-D-GLUCOSE DIETHYL DITHIOACETAL AND 1,2,3,4,5,6-HEXA-O-ACETYL-D-GLUCOSE S-ETHYL MONOTHIOACETAL

Abstract

The rate constants for the perchloric acid catalyzed substitution of one ethylthio group of 2,3,4,5,6-penta-O-acetyl-D-glucose diethyl dithioacetal (Va) and the acetoxy group bonded to C1 of 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexa-O-acetyl-D-glucose S-ethyl monothioacetal (VIa) have been measured when the substrates were dissolved in solutions of acetic acid and acetic anhydride. The rate-determining step is interpreted to be the dissociation of the substrate conjugate acid to give a carbonium–sulfonium cation. The rate constants indicate that acyclic sugar derivatives are substituted faster than cyclic (pyranose) derivatives, and that an acetoxy group is substituted faster than an ethylthio group.