1,5-Anhydro-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-d-glucitol (1) is formed as the major product in the reductive cleavage of permethylated 4-linked glucopyranosyl residues, but a small amount of 1,4-anhydro-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-d-glucitol (2) is formed as an artifact when water is present. The formation of 2 can be minimized by carrying out the reductive cleavage under anhydrous conditions. The independent synthesis of2and its 5-O-acetyl derivative (4) is described.