Metal Trifluoromethanesulfonate- Catalyzed Regioselective Borane-Reductive Ring Opening of Benzylidene Acetals:  A Concise Synthesis of 1,4-Dideoxy-1,4-imino-l-xylitol

A highly regioselective borane-reductive ring opening of the 4,6-O-benzylidene-d-hexopyranosides to the corresponding 6-alcohols in excellent yields at room temperature via various metal trifluoromethanesulfonates as catalysts is described here. Its application in the synthesis of 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-l-xylitol is also highlighted.