Domino Transformation of <scp>d</scp>-Glucal to Racemic α-Substituted α-Hydroxymethyl Furfuryl Derivatives

Lewis acid mediated one-pot transformation of D-glucal in the presence of nucleophiles leads to the formation of racemic alpha-substituted alpha-hydroxymethyl furfuryl derivatives, versatile synthons for biologically active molecules. Transformations using O-, S-, C-, and N-nucleophiles could be achieved readily under mild and scalable conditions. Indium triflate proved to be the catalyst of choice in terms of conversion and regioselectivity.