Use of polymers as protecting groups in organic synthesis. III. Selective functionalization of polyhydroxy alcohols

Insoluble polymers containing trityl chloride residues were used to block one primary alcohol functional group of several polyhydroxy alcohols. After protecting the remaining hydroxyl groups by benzoylation, the ether linkage between the polymer and the protected alcohol was cleaved in acidic medium. Depending on the reaction conditions and the nature of the starting alcohol, several alcohols or bromides in which only one of the two primary hydroxyls had been esterified, were obtained. In some cases benzoyl migrations were observed. The trityl chloride polymers could be regenerated in one step without degradation or appreciable loss of activity.