biostudies-literatureChen JSMinistry of Science and Technology, TaiwanNational Chung-Hsing University33853-33862https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9073715biostudies-literatureUnknown9(58)This work demonstrates the utilization of phosphotungstic acid (PTA) as a novel acidic catalyst for carbohydrate reactions, such as per-<i>O</i>-acetylation, regioselective <i>O</i>-4,6 benzylidene acetal formation, regioselective <i>O</i>-4 ring-opening, and glycosylation. These reactions are basic and salient during the synthesis of carbohydrate-based bioactive oligomers. Phosphotungstic acid's high acidity and eco-friendly character make it a tempting alternative to corrosive homogeneous acids. The various homogenous acid catalysts were replaced by the phosphotungstic acid solely for different carbohydrate reactions. It can be widely used as a catalyst for organic reactions as it is thermally stable and easy to handle. In our work, the reactions are operated smoothly under ambient condiRSC advancesPhosphotungstic acid as a novel acidic catalyst for carbohydrate protection and glycosylation.PMC9073715MOST 107-2113-M-005-021Chen JSWu HRLuo SYSankar ALin YJHuang PHLiao CHWu SSfalsePhosphotungstic acid as a novel acidic catalyst for carbohydrate protection and glycosylation.This work demonstrates the utilization of phosphotungstic acid (PTA) as a novel acidic catalyst for carbohydrate reactions, such as per-<i>O</i>-acetylation, regioselective <i>O</i>-4,6 benzylidene acetal formation, regioselective <i>O</i>-4 ring-opening, and glycosylation. These reactions are basic and salient during the synthesis of carbohydrate-based bioactive oligomers. Phosphotungstic acid's high acidity and eco-friendly character make it a tempting alternative to corrosive homogeneous acids. The various homogenous acid catalysts were replaced by the phosphotungstic acid solely for different carbohydrate reactions. It can be widely used as a catalyst for organic reactions as it is thermally stable and easy to handle. In our work, the reactions are operated smoothly under ambient condi2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Oct2025-04-26T15:16:53.086Z2025-04-06T14:53:08.024ZS-EPMC90737153552891910.1039/c9ra06170c