Steric control in the polymerization of 1,2-anhydro-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-mannopyranose

Polymerization of 1,2-anhydro-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-mannopyranose under acid catalysis has led to a series of polymers varying in anomeric configuration from approximately 90% alpha to 70% beta. Optical rotations follow 13C-n.m.r. estimates of anomeric composition linearly over this range. Low-temperature polymerization with trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride as initiator favors mainly cis-opening of the anhydro ring, presumably through the intermediary of a macroester. These results are compared with related glycosylation and polymerization reactions on 1,2-anhydro sugar derivatives, and some mechanistic conclusions are proposed.