Preparation of α- and ß-D-glucoseptanose pentaacetates.

The α- and ß-D-glucoseptanose pentaacetates have been prepared by treatment of ethyl 1-thio-ß-D-glucoseptanoside tetraacetate with mercury(II) acetate in acetic acid. The solid state structure of the ß-isomer has been determined by X-ray diffraction.