Recent advances in the synthesis of 2-deoxy-glycosides

2-Deoxyglycosyl 3-benzoylpropionates as novel donors for the direct and stereoselective synthesis of 2-deoxy-glycosides

Lewis acid mediated stereoselective synthesis of 2-deoxy-O-glycosides has been demonstrated using 2-deoxyglycosyl 3-benzoylpropionates as novel glycosyl donors.

Reductive Deamination by Benzyne for Deoxy Sugar Synthesis Through a Domino Reaction

Benzyne was developed as a reducing agent in the key step of converting amino sugars and ketoses into deoxy sugars, which occur widely in natural products. Many deoxy sugars exhibit antibiotic and anticancer activities, and furthermore, they play essential biological roles. By treatment with CS2 and then Ac2O, amino sugars and ketoses were converted into the corresponding 1,3-thiazolidine-2-thiones. In the key step, these intermediates were treated with 2-trimethylsilylphenyl triflate (2.0 equiv.) and CsF (3.0 equiv.) in MeCN at 25 °C to produce acyclic enol acetates in 60-63 % yields. Saponification of the enol acetates with NaOMe/MeOH followed by intramolecular cyclization afforded the target 2-deoxy sugars. The key step of the reductive deamination involved a domino 1,2-elimination/[3+2]-cycloaddition/retro [3+2]-ring-opening sequence. The generality of this new method was proven by the use of various substrates, including pentoses, hexoses, monosaccharides, disaccharides, aldoses, and ketoses.

Chemical Access to d-Sarmentose Units Enables the Total Synthesis of Cardenolide Monoglycoside N-1 from Nerium oleander

Herein we present a chemical approach for the ready preparation of d-sarmentosyl donors enabling the first total synthesis and structure validation of cardenolide N-1, a challenging 2,6-dideoxy-3-O-methyl-β-d-xylo-hexopyranoside extracted from Nerium oleander twigs that displays anti-inflammatory properties and cell growth inhibitory activity against tumor cells. The strategy highlights the synthetic value of the sequential methodology developed in our group for the synthesis of 2-deoxyglycosides. Key steps include Wittig-Horner olefination of a d-xylofuranose precursor, [I⁺]-induced 6-endo cyclization, and 1,2-trans stereoselective glycosylation.

Cooperative Brønsted Acid-Type Organocatalysis for the Stereoselective Synthesis of Deoxyglycosides

A practical approach for the α-stereoselective synthesis of deoxyglycosides using cooperative Brønsted acid-type organocatalysis has been developed. The method is tolerant of a wide range of glycoside donors and acceptors, and its versatility is exemplified in the one-pot synthesis of a trisaccharide. Mechanistic studies suggest that thiourea-induced acid amplification of the chiral acid via H-bonding is key for the enhancement in reaction rate and yield, while stereocontrol is dependent on the chirality of the acid.

Chemical O-Glycosylations: An Overview

The development of glycobiology relies on the sources of particular oligosaccharides in their purest forms. As the isolation of the oligosaccharide structures from natural sources is not a reliable option for providing samples with homogeneity, chemical means become pertinent. The growing demand for diverse oligosaccharide structures has prompted the advancement of chemical strategies to stitch sugar molecules with precise stereo- and regioselectivity through the formation of glycosidic bonds. This Review will focus on the key developments towards chemical O-glycosylations in the current century. Synthesis of novel glycosyl donors and acceptors and their unique activation for successful glycosylation are discussed. This Review concludes with a summary of recent developments and comments on future prospects.

TMSBr-mediated solvent- and work-up-free synthesis of α-2-deoxyglycosides from glycals

The thio-additions of glycals were efficiently promoted by a stoichiometric amount of trimethylsilyl bromide (TMSBr) to produce S-2-deoxyglycosides under solvent-free conditions in good to excellent yields. In addition, with triphenylphosphine oxide as an additive, the TMSBr-mediated direct glycosylations of glycals with a large range of alcohols were highly α-selective.

Fluorine-directed 1,2-trans glycosylation of rare sugars

To reconcile the urgent need to access well defined β-configured 2,6-di-deoxypyranose analogues for chemical biology, with the intrinsic α-selectivity of the native system, the directing role of fluorine at C2 has been explored. Localised partial charge inversion (C-H(δ+)→ C-F(δ-)) elicits a reversal of the substrate-based α-stereoselectivity, irrespective of the protecting group electronics.

Catalysis based on reversible covalent interactions of organoboron compounds

CONSPECTUS: An Account of the development of organoboron-catalyzed methods for chemo- or regioselective activation of pyruvic acids, diols, and carbohydrate derivatives is presented. These methods are based on reversible, covalent interactions that have been exploited extensively in host-guest chemistry, but were comparatively underutilized in catalysis. Important differences between the established properties of organboron compounds in molecular recognition and their behavior as catalysts emerged over the course of this work: for instance, borinic acids, which have largely been ignored in molecular recognition, proved to be a particularly useful class of catalysts. Nonetheless, the high selectivity that has enabled applications of organoboron compounds in molecular recognition (e.g., the selective binding of cis-1,2-diol groups in carbohydrates) also appears to play a key role in the outcomes of catalytic reactions. This research program began as a modest, narrowly defined project aimed at developing direct aldol reactions based on established interactions between pyruvic acids and boronic acids. While this goal was achieved, it was unexpected observations related to the nature of the nucleophile in this transformation (a putative tetracoordinate boron enolate) that attracted our attention and pointed toward broader applications in the catalyst-controlled, regioselective functionalization of polyols. This line of research proved to be fruitful: diarylborinic-acid-based precatalysts were found to promote efficient monoalkylations, sulfonylations, and alkylations of a range of diol substrates, as well as cis-1,2-diol motifs in pyranoside-derived triols. Extension of this chemistry to glycosyl donors as electrophiles enabled the regioselective, catalyst-controlled synthesis of disaccharides from readily accessible feedstocks, and was also employed to modify the oligosaccharide component of a complex, glycosylated natural product. Mechanistic studies have played an important role in our efforts to optimize catalyst activity and expand substrate scope for this class of transformations. For instance, it was kinetic studies of the sulfonylation of diols that motivated us to investigate heteroboraanthracene-derived borinic acids as catalysts, despite their low affinity for these substrates. Likewise, preliminary studies suggesting an SN2-type pathway for organoboron-catalyzed glycosylations were instrumental in our development of a method for selective formation of β-2-deoxyglycosides. Details of these mechanistic studies, along with prospects for applying catalyst-controlled glycosylation in oligosaccharide synthesis and natural product glycorandomization, are discussed.

Au(i) π-bis(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)acetylene triphenylphosphine complex, an effective pre-catalyst for Au(i)-catalyzed reactions

A [Ph₃PAu]⁺ η²-alkyne π complex is found to be shelf-stable and effective for a range of the Au(i)-catalyzed alkyne π activation reactions.

ortho-(Methyltosylaminoethynyl)benzyl glycosides as new glycosyl donors for latent-active glycosylation

A new glycosylation protocol with ortho-(methyltosylaminoethynyl)benzyl glycosides as donors is disclosed.

O-Glycosylation methods in the total synthesis of complex natural glycosides

We highlight the total syntheses of 33 complex natural O-glycosides, with a particular focus on the O-glycosylation methods that enable the connection of the saccharides and aglycones.

A 3,4-trans-fused cyclic protecting group facilitates α-selective catalytic synthesis of 2-deoxyglycosides

A practical approach has been developed to convert glucals and rhamnals into disaccharides or glycoconjugates with high α-selectivity and yields (77-97%) using a trans-fused cyclic 3,4-O-disiloxane protecting group and TsOH⋅H2O (1 mol%) as a catalyst. Control of the anomeric selectivity arises from conformational locking of the intermediate oxacarbenium cation. Glucals outperform rhamnals because the C6 side-chain conformation augments the selectivity.

Studies toward the total synthesis of pluraflavin A

A synthetic strategy towards the potent cytostatic agent pluraflavin A has been developed. Formation of the enantioenriched anthrapyran core bearing a halogen atom enabled the introduction of the α C-aryl glycoside by Stille cross-coupling and subsequent hydrogenation of the aryl glycal. Chemo- and stereoselective O-glycosylations of α oliose and β 3-epi vancosamine residues afforded a fully glycosylated aromatic core. Attempts to install the dimethylamino group of the C-disaccharide suggest that introduction of an azide group by displacement and subsequent reduction may pave the way to the total synthesis of pluraflavin A.

Organoboron-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective formation of β-2-deoxyglycosidic linkages

A borinic acid derived catalyst enables regioselective and β-selective reactions of 2-deoxy- and 2,6-dideoxyglycosyl chloride donors with pyranoside-derived acceptors having unprotected cis-1,2- and 1,3-diol groups. The use of catalysis to promote a β-selective pathway by enhancement of acceptor nucleophilicity constitutes a distinct approach from previous work, which has been aimed at modulating donor reactivity by variation of protective and/or leaving groups.

Scope and limitations of 2-deoxy- and 2,6-dideoxyglycosyl bromides as donors for the synthesis of β-2-deoxy- and β-2,6-dideoxyglycosides

It is shown that 2-deoxy- and 2,6-dideoxyglycosyl bromides can be prepared in high yield (72-94%) and engaged in glycosylation reactions with β:α selectivities ≥6:1. Yields of product are 44-90%. Fully armed 2-deoxyglycoside donors are viable, while 2,6-dideoxyglycosides require one electron-withdrawing substituent for high efficiency and β-selectivity. Equatorial C-3 ester protecting groups decrease β-selectivity, and donors bearing an axial C-3 substituent are not suitable. The method is compatible with azide-containing donors and acid-sensitive functional groups.

An air- and water-stable iodonium salt promoter for facile thioglycoside activation

The air- and water-stable iodonium salt phenyl(trifluoroethyl)iodonium triflimide is shown to activate thioglycosides for glycosylation at room temperature. Both armed and disarmed thioglycosides rapidly undergo glycosylation in 68–97% yield. The reaction conditions are mild and do not require strict exclusion of air and moisture. The operational simplicity of the method should allow experimentalists with a limited synthetic background to construct glycosidic linkages.

Synthesis and biological activity of divalent ligands based on 3-deoxy-4-thiolactose, an isosteric analogue of lactose

We report here the synthesis of divalent ligands containing 3-deoxy-4-thiolactose. This thiodisaccharide has been synthesized using the Michael addition of β-1-thiogalactose to the α,β-unsaturated system of sugar-derived dihydropyranones, followed by the reduction of the remaining carbonyl group. We were able to control the configuration (S) of the stereocenter linked to sulfur (C-4) of the reducing end by conducting the thioglycosylation at high temperature or by isomerization during the reduction of the 2-ulose thiodisaccharide with NaBH4/THF. The energy profile for this reaction on a model compound was calculated. The anomeric position of the 3-deoxy-4-thiolactose was functionalized with a terminal alkyne, which was coupled to azide-containing sugar scaffolds through CuAAC reaction to afford mono- and divalent ligands. The final products were competitive inhibitors of E. coli β-galactosidase in the micromolar range. Their binding affinities to peanut agglutinin (PNA) were determined by isothermal calorimetry, which showed a clear decrease in the Ka values for monovalent derivatives compared to lactose. This report contributes to establishing the role of a particular hydroxyl group of lactose in sugar-protein recognition processes.

Direct synthesis of 2-deoxy-β-glycosides via anomeric O-alkylation with secondary electrophiles

An approach for direct synthesis of biologically significant 2-deoxy-β-glycosides has been developed via O-alkylation of a variety of 2-deoxy-sugar-derived anomeric alkoxides using challenging secondary triflates as electrophiles. It was found a free hydroxyl group at C3 of the 2-deoxy-sugar-derived lactols is required in order to achieve synthetically efficient yields. This method has also been applied to the convergent synthesis of a 2-deoxy-β-tetrasaccharide.

Reagent controlled β-specific dehydrative glycosylation reactions with 2-deoxy-sugars

N-Sulfonyl imidazoles activate 2-deoxy-sugar hemiacetals for glycosylation presumably by converting them into glycosyl sulfonates in situ. By matching the leaving group ability of the sulfonate with the reactivity of the donor, it is possible to obtain β-specific glycosylation reactions. The reaction serves as proof of the principle that, by choosing promoters that can modulate the reactivity of active intermediates, it is possible to place glycosylation reactions entirely under reagent control.