D-Glucitol is converted to 1,3:2,4-di-Q-ethylidene derivative and then into its 6-Q-tosyl es ter. Nuc 1 eophil i c di sp 1 acement with potass i urn thi oaceta te yi e 1 ds the 6-~-acetyl compound wh i ch may be saponifi ed to the thiol and oxidized to the blocked disulfide. Acid removal of the ethylidene group produces bis(6-deoxy-Q-glucitol) 6,6'-disulfide (11).Alternatively, reaction of 1,3:2,4-dio-Q-ethylidene-6-Q-tosyl-Q-glucitol, with 1,3:2,4-di-Q-ethylidene-6-~-acetyl-6-thio-Q-glucitol under basic condi­tions produces the monosulfide (12) which on deblocking by acid yields bis (6-deoxy-Q-glucitol )6,6'-sulfide (13). 


A U REHMAN ,R L WHISTLER ,J R DANEIL ,