Self-promoted and stereospecific formation of -glycosides.

A stereoselective and self-promoted glycosylation for the synthesis of various -glycosides and glycosyl sulfonamides from trichloroacetimidates is presented. No additional catalysts or promoters are needed in what is essentially a two-component reaction. When α-glucosyl trichloroacetimidates are employed, the reaction resulted in the stereospecific formation of the corresponding β--glucosides in high yields at ambient conditions.