Cyclodextrins selectively modified on both rims using an O-3-debenzylative post-functionalisation, a consequence of the Sorrento meeting.

A de-O-benzylation reaction induced by I(2)-Et(3)SiH and developed by Iadonisi et al. on mono- and disaccharides was applied to per- or polybenzylated α-cyclodextrins to furnish compounds deprotected at position 3 of all sugar units. This methodology allows the straightforward post-functionalisation of the secondary rim of cyclodextrins already functionalised on their primary rim.