Copper(II)nitrate catalyzed regioselective protection of primary alcohols with 4,4'-dimethoxytrityl and 2,7-dimethyl-9-phenyl xanthen-9-yl groups in nucleosides and carbohydrates.

Regioselective protection of primary hydroxyl group in nucleoside and carbohydrate analogs was accomplished using dimethoxytrityl alcohol (DMTr-OH) or dimethylpixyl alcohol (DMPx-OH) in presence of copper(II)nitrate as a Lewis acid catalyst. Excellent selectivity was observed for the protection of primary hydroxyl group over secondary while glycosidic bond remain unaffected. Utility of this methodology was further exemplified via DMTr- and DMPx-protection of alipahtic acyclic and cyclic diols.