Pseudo-glycoconjugates with a C-glycoside linkage

Work by the author and colleagues has been focused on the development of pseudo-glycans (pseudo-glycoconjugates), in which the O-glycosidic linkage of the natural-type glycan structure is replaced by a C-glycosidic linkage. These analogs are not degraded by cellular glycoside hydrolases and are thus expected to be useful molecular tools that may maintain the original biological activity for a long period in the cell. However, their biological potential is not yet well understood because only a few pseudo glycans have so far been synthesized. This article aims to provide a bird's-eye view of our recent studies on the creation of C-glycoside analogs of ganglioside GM3 based on the CHF-sialoside linkage, and summarizes the chemical insights acquired during our stereoselective synthesis of the C-sialoside bond, ultimately leading to pseudo-GM3. Conformational analysis of the synthesized CHF-sialoside disaccharides confirmed that the anticipated conformational control by F-atom introduction was successful, and furthermore, enhanced the biological activity. In order to improve access to C-glycoside analogs based on pseudo-GM3, it is still important to streamline the synthesis process. With this in mind, we designed and developed a direct C-glycosylation method using atom-transfer radical coupling, and employed it in syntheses of pseudo-isomaltose and pseudo-KRN7000.

Approaches to the Synthesis of Perfluoroalkyl-Modified Carbohydrates and Derivatives: Thiosugars, Iminosugars, and Tetrahydro(thio)pyrans

Fluoroalkyl-substituted carbohydrates play relevant roles in diverse areas such as supramolecular chemistry, glycoconjugation, liquid crystals, and surfactants, with direct applications as wetting, antifreeze, and coating agents. In light of these promising applications, new methodologies for the late-stage incorporation of fluoroalkyl R_F groups into carbohydrates and derivatives are herein presented as they are relevant to the synthetic carbohydrate community. Previously reviewed protocols for the installation of R_F groups onto carbohydrates and derivatives will be succinctly summarized in the light of the new achievements. Fluoroalkyl-substituted iminosugars, on the other hand, are also interesting glycomimetic derivatives with prominent roles as glycosidases and glycosyltransferases inhibitors, as has recently been demonstrated. Also, they positively contribute to the study of sugar-protein interactions and enzyme mechanisms. New advances in the syntheses of fluoroalkyl-substituted iminosugars will also be presented here.

Photocatalyzed reductive fluoroalkylation of 2-acetoxyglycals towards the stereoselective synthesis of α-1-fluoroalkyl-C-glycosyl derivatives

A benign, efficient, regio- and stereoselective protocol for the syntheses of α-1-fluoroalkyl-C-glycosyl compounds bearing CF3, C4F9, and C6F13 substituents on the anomeric carbon has been developed by a new methodology starting from 2-acetoxyglycals for the first time. Remarkably, the reactions proceeded in only one step, through the visible light-photocatalyzed reductive fluoroalkylation of 2-acetoxyglycals by means of an Ir photocatalyst and employed commercially available fluoroalkyl iodides n-CnF2n+1-I (n = 1, 4, 6) as a source of fluoroalkyl radicals.

Straightforward synthesis of protected 2-hydroxyglycals by chlorination-dehydrochlorination of carbohydrate hemiacetals

A straightforward and scalable method for the synthesis of protected 2-hydroxyglycals is described. The approach is based on the chlorination of carbohydrate-derived hemiacetals, followed by an elimination reaction to establish the glycal moiety. 1,2-dehydrochlorination reactions were studied on a range of glycosyl chlorides to provide suitable reaction conditions for this transformation. Benzyl ether, isopropylidene and benzylidene protecting groups, as well as interglycosidic linkage, were found to be compatible with this protocol. The described method is operationally simple and allows for the quick preparation of 2-hydroxyglycals with other than ester protecting groups, providing a feasible alternative to existing methods.

Regioselective Synthesis of Difluorinated C-Furanosides Involving a Debenzylative Cycloetherification

A highly regioselective synthesis of valuable gem-difluorinated C-furanosides from unprotected aldoses via a debenzylative cycloetherification (DBCE) reaction induced by diethylaminosulfur trifluoride is descibed. The scope and limitations of this DBCE reaction are described using a series of commercially available pentoses and hexoses to afford, without selective protection/deprotection sequences, the corresponding gem-difluorinated C-furanosides in moderate to good yields.

Acyl Glycosides through Stereospecific Glycosyl Cross-Coupling: Rapid Access to C(sp3)-Linked Glycomimetics

Replacement of a glycosidic bond with hydrolytically stable C-C surrogates is an efficient strategy to access glycomimetics with improved physicochemical and pharmacological properties. We describe here a stereoretentive cross-coupling reaction of glycosyl stannanes with C(sp2)- and C(sp3)-thio(seleno)esters suitable for the preparation C-acyl glycosides as synthetic building blocks to obtain C(sp3)-linked and fluorinated glycomimetics. First, we identified a set of standardized conditions employing a Pd(0) precatalyst, CuCl additive, and phosphite ligand that provided access to C-acyl glycosides without deterioration of anomeric integrity and decarbonylation of the acyl donors (>40 examples). Second, we demonstrated that C(sp3)-glycomimetics could be introduced into the anomeric position via a direct conversion of C1 ketones. Specifically, the conversion of the carbonyl group into a CF2 mimetic is an appealing method to access valuable fluorinated analogues. We also illustrate that the introduction of other carbonyl-based groups into the C1 position of mono- and oligosaccharides can be accomplished using the corresponding acyl donors. This protocol is amenable to late-stage glycodiversification and programmed mutation of the C-O bond into hydrolytically stable C-C bonds. Taken together, stereoretentive anomeric acylation represents a convenient method to prepare a diverse set of glycan mimetics with minimal synthetic manipulations and with absolute control of anomeric configuration.

Recent developments in β-C-glycosides: synthesis and applications

In the last few years, considerable progress has been made in the synthesis of C-glycosides. Despite its challenging chemistry, due to its versatility, C-glycosides play a pivotal role in developing novel materials, surfactants and bioactive molecules. In this review, we present snapshots of various synthetic methodologies developed for C-glycosides in the recent years and the potential application of C-glycosides derived from β-C-glycosidic ketones.

Intramolecular nitrogen delivery for the synthesis of C-glycosphingolipids. Application to the C-glycoside of the immunostimulant KRN7000

The key reaction in this approach to C-glycosphingolipids is the stereoselective iodocyclization of a sugar-linked homoallylic carbonimidothioate. E and Z reaction substrates were assembled in a convergent fashion via an alkene metathesis strategy and exhibited the same alkene facial selectivity in the iodocyclization irrespective of alkene geometry, although the E alkene was found to be less reactive.

Addition of electrophilic radicals to 2-benzyloxyglycals: synthesis and functionalization of fluorinated α-C-glycosides and derivatives

A new method for the synthesis of fluorinated α-C-glycosides is described. The reactions between highly electrophilic radicals (fluorinated or unfluorinated) and a 2-benzyloxyglucal or galactal provide 2-keto-D-arabino- or 2-keto-D-lyxo-hexopyranosides through an addition/fragmentation process. Sodium borohydride mediated or Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley (MPV) reduction of these compounds provides α-C-glycosides that feature appropriate anchoring groups for further synthetic elaboration. The presence of CF2 CO2 iPr or CF2 Br groups at the pseudo-anomeric position allows efficient reduction/olefination or Br/Li-exchange/nucleophilic-addition sequences. These transformations open the way for the synthesis of fluorinated C-glycosidic analogues of glycoconjugates.