A Chemometric Approach to Map Reaction Media Chemoselectivity: Example of Selective Debenzylation

Leveraging Trifluoromethylated Benzyl Groups toward the Highly 1,2-Cis-Selective Glucosylation of Reactive Alcohols

Here, we demonstrate that substitution of the benzyl groups of glucosyl imidate donors with trifluoromethyl results in a substantial increase in 1,2-cis-selectivity when activated with TMS-I in the presence of triphenylphosphine oxide. Stereoselectivity is dependent on the number of trifluoromethyl groups (4-trifluoromethylbenzyl vs 3,5-bis-trifluoromethylbenzyl). Particularly encouraging is that we observe high 1,2-cis-selectivity with reactive alcohol acceptors.

1,2-cis-Selective glucosylation enabled by halogenated benzyl protecting groups

We report on our initial results from a systematic effort to implement electron-withdrawing protecting groups and Lewis basic solvents/additives as an approach to 1,2-cis(α)-selective O-glucosylation. 1,2-cis-Selective O-glucosylations are reported with thioglucosides and glucosyl trichloroacetimidates and a range of acceptors. A correlation between electron-withdrawing effects and 1,2-cis selectivity has been established. This phenomenon may prove to be broadly applicable in the area of chemical O-glycosylation.