Regioselective synthesis of alditol vicinal bis-cyclic thionocarbonates via alditol stannylene acetal complexes as a short and efficient route to alpha,omega-diiodoalditol derivatives.

The bis-cyclic thionocarbonates of alditols (pentitols and hexitols) were quickly and easily obtained from alditol stannylene complexes and phenyl chlorothionoformate (PhOC(S)Cl) in good yields. Acetylation of isolated free alditol bis-thionocarbonates and subsequent iodination using methyl iodide under pressure led to alpha,omega-diiodo derivatives of alditols in good to excellent isolated yields (67-93%).