(1S)-1,2-O-Benzylidene-α-d-glucurono-6,3-lactone

X-ray crystallographic analysis has established that the major product from the protection of d-glucoronolactone with benzaldehyde is (1S)-1,2-O-benzylidene-α-d-glucurono-6,3-lactone, C13H12O6, rather than the R epimer. The crystal structure exists as O—H...O hydrogen-bonded chains of molecules lying parallel to the a axis. The absolute configuration was determined by the use of d-glucuronolactone as the starting material.