TMDS as a Dual‐Purpose Reductant in the Regioselective Ring Cleavage of Hexopyranosyl Acetals to Ethers

Abstract 1,1,3,3‐Tetramethyldisiloxane (TMDS) has been developed as an excellent dual‐purpose reductant for the highly regioselective ring cleavage of various hexopyranosyl 4,6‐ O ‐acetals with Cu(OTf) 2 or AlCl 3 to afford the corresponding primary and secondary ethers. Its application to the concise synthesis of carbohydrate‐based surfactants is highlighted.