A novel base-induced isomerization gives access to unprecedented (E)-exo-glycals.

Bump the base: This study reports the discovery of the base-induced Z-to-E isomerization of exo-glycals bearing an electron-withdrawing group (EWG). The scope of this novel transformation regarding the carbohydrate unit is also discussed. After elucidating the mechanism, preparation of novel (E)-exo- glycals was performed (TBS = tert-butyldimethylsilyl).