The glycosylation reactions of glycosyl trichloroacetimidates and several alcohols using an organophotoacid as an activator under photoirradiation proceeded smoothly to give the corresponding glycosides in high yields. The organophotoacid was recovered and reused without any loss of efficiency.

An alternative and improved total synthesis of incednam, the aglycon of the 24-membered macrolactam glycoside antibiotic incednine, was accomplished. The synthesis was realized via construction of the 24-membered macrocycle using intramolecular ring-closing olefin metathesis reaction as a key step.