Applications of Barbier Type Reactions in Carbohydrate Chemistry

Stereocontrolled formation of C-C bonds in polyfunctionalized carbohydrate derivatives, which are crucial synthetic intermediates, is sometimes very challenging. The application of low valent organometallic reagents for C-C bond formation in carbohydrate chemistry has recently attracted a great deal of attention, largely due to the mild reaction conditions required. We present here an overview of the application of different reductive C-C bond forming reactions in carbohydrate chemistry.