GeCl₂?Dioxane-AgBF₄ Catalyzed Activation of Glycosyl Fluorides for Glycosylation

A catalytic glycosyl fluoride activation system using the GeCl2 center dot dioxane-AgBF4 combination was developed, which involves a reversible activation of the anomeric C-F bond by a [Ge(II)-Cl](+) cation and a reversible chloride ion transfer between Ge(II) and glycosyl cations. This catalytic glycosylation system is easy to operate, proceeds at room temperature, and offers a broad scope of substrates.