Chemistry of tetrathiomolybdate and tetraselenotungstate: Applications in carbohydrate chemistry

Abstract An efficient one pot synthesis of thio and selenolevoglucosans from 1,6-diactivated carbohydrate derivatives has been achieved using benzyltriethylammonium tetrathiomolybdate, [BnNEt3]2MoS4, as a sulfur transfer reagent and tetraethylammonium tetraselenotungstate, [Et4N]2WSe4, as a selenium transfer reagent, respectively. The methodology has also been extended to the synthesis of 1,5-epithio and 1,5-episeleno pentoses.