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

Facile Synthesis of FimH Antagonist and Its Analogues: Simple Entry to Complex C-Mannoside Inhibitors of E. coli Adhesion

Synthesizing FimH antagonists is challenging because of their densely functionalized and stereochemically complex C-mannoside structures, resulting in low yields and lengthy processes. We present an efficient method for synthesizing C-mannoside FimH antagonists by nickel-catalyzed reductive coupling and stereocontrolled reduction, thereby significantly simplifying the process and enabling the synthesis of FimH antagonists in just four steps with an overall yield of 34-50%. This efficient synthesis holds significant potential for the rapid development of analogues targeting the treatment of urinary tract infections or Crohn's disease caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli).

Stereoselective and site-divergent synthesis of C-glycosides

Carbohydrates play important roles in medicinal chemistry and biochemistry. However, their synthesis relies on specially designed glycosyl donors, which are often unstable and require multi-step synthesis. Furthermore, the catalytic and stereoselective installation of arylated quaternary stereocentres on sugar rings remains a formidable challenge. Here we report a facile and versatile method for the synthesis of diverse C-R (where R is an aryl, heteroaryl, alkenyl, alkynyl or alkyl) glycosides from readily available and bench-stable 1-deoxyglycosides. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions and exhibits high stereoselectivity across a broad range of glycosyl units. This protocol can be used to synthesize challenging 2-deoxyglycosides, unprotected glycosides, non-classical glycosides and deuterated glycosides. We further developed the catalyst-controlled site-divergent functionalization of carbohydrates for the synthesis of various unexplored carbohydrates containing arylated quaternary stereocentres that are inaccessible by existing methods. The synthetic utility of this strategy is further demonstrated in the synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant molecules and carbohydrates.

Radical C-Glycosylation Using Photoexcitable Unprotected Glycosyl Borate

We have developed radical C-glycosylation using photoexcitable unprotected glycosyl borate. The direct excitation of glycosyl borate under visible light irradiation enabled the generation of anomeric radical without any photoredox catalysts. The in situ generated anomeric radical was applicable to the radical addition such as Giese-type addition and Minisci-type reaction to introduce alkyl and heteroaryl groups at the anomeric position. In addition, the radical-radical coupling between the glycosyl borate and acyl imidazolide provided unprotected acyl C-glycosides.

Stereoselective Construction of Multifunctional C-Glycosides Enabled by Nickel-Catalyzed Tandem Borylation/Glycosylation

Stereochemically pure saccharides have indispensable roles in fields ranging from medicinal chemistry to materials science and organic synthesis. However, the development of a simple, stereoselective, and efficient glycosylation protocol to access α- and β-C-glycosides (particularly 2-deoxy entities) remains a persistent challenge. Existing studies have primarily focused on C1 modification of carbohydrates and transformation of glycosyl radical precursors. Here, we innovate by harnessing the in situ generated glycosyl-Ni species to achieve one-pot borylation and glycosylation in a cascade manner, which is enabled by an earth-abundant nickel-catalyzed carboboration of readily accessible glycals without any ligand. This work reveals the potential for the development of a modular and multifunctional glycosylation platform to facilitate the simultaneous introduction of C-C and C-B bonds at the stereogenic center of saccharides, a largely unexploited research area. Preliminary experimental and computational studies indicate that the endocyclic O and the C3 group play important roles in stereoseclectively forging glycosidic bonds. As a result, a diverse range of C-R (R = alkyl, aryl, and alkenyl) and 2-deoxygenated glycosides bearing modifiable boron groups could be rapidly made with excellent stereocontrol and exhibit remarkable functional group tolerance. The synthetic potential is underscored in the late-stage glycosylation of natural products and commercial drugs as well as the facile preparation of various rare sugars, bioactive conjugates, and key intermediates to prorocentin, phomonol, and aspergillide A.

Electrochemical Glycosylation via Halogen-Atom-Transfer for C-Glycoside Assembly

Glycosyl donor activation emerged as an enabling technology for anomeric functionalization, but aimed primarily at O-glycosylation. In contrast, we herein disclose mechanistically distinct electrochemical glycosyl bromide donor activations via halogen-atom transfer and anomeric C-glycosylation. The anomeric radical addition to alkenes led to C-alkyl glycoside synthesis under precious metal-free reaction conditions from readily available glycosyl bromides. The robustness of our e-XAT strategy was further mirrored by C-aryl and C-acyl glycosides assembly through nickela-electrocatalysis. Our approach provides an orthogonal strategy for glycosyl donor activation with expedient scope, hence representing a general method for direct C-glycosides assembly.

Pd-catalyzed stereoselective synthesis of chromone C-glycosides

Herein, we present an efficient Pd-catalysed method for stereoselective synthesis of chromone C-glycosides from various glycals. We successfully applied this method to various glycals with different protecting groups, yielding the corresponding glycosides in 41-78% yields. Additionally, we investigated the potential of this approach for the late-stage modification of natural products and pharmaceutical compounds linked to glycals, leading to the synthesis of their respective glycosides. Furthermore, we extended our research to gram-scale synthesis and demonstrated its applicability in producing various valuable products, including 2-deoxy-chromone C-glycosides. In summary, our work introduces a novel library of chromone glycosides, which holds promise for advancing drug discovery efforts.

Nickel and Chiral Phosphoric Acid Cocatalysis Enables Synthesis of C-Acyl Glycosides

We disclosed a Ni/CPA cocatalyzed protocol to access diverse C-acyl glycosides under mild conditions with broad functional group compatibility through the coupling of readily available glycosyl bromides and carboxylic esters. The potential application of the methodology was demonstrated by the C-acyl glycosylation of bioactive molecules and the transformation of products to a variety of value-added molecules. Mechanistic studies revealed that CPA might serve as a bifunctional H-bond catalyst to activate carboxylic esters and nickel catalyst.

Linkage-Editing Pseudo-Glycans: A Reductive α-Fluorovinyl-C-Glycosylation Strategy to Create Glycan Analogs with Altered Biological Activities

The acetal (O-glycoside) bonds of glycans and glycoconjugates are chemically and biologically vulnerable, and therefore C-glycosides are of interest as more stable analogs. We hypothesized that, if the O-glycoside linkage plays a vital role in glycan function, the biological activities of C-glycoside analogs would vary depending on their substituents. Based on this idea, we adopted a "linkage-editing strategy" for the creation of glycan analogs (pseudo-glycans). We designed three types of pseudo-glycans with CH2 and CHF linkages, which resemble the O-glycoside linkage in terms of bond lengths, angles, and bulkiness, and synthesized them efficiently by means of fluorovinyl C-glycosylation and selective hydrogenation reactions. Application of this strategy to isomaltose (IM), an inducer of amylase expression, and α-GalCer, which activates iNKT cells, resulted in the discovery of CH2-IM, which shows increased amylase production ability, and CHF-α-GalCer, which shows activity opposite that of native α-GalCer, serving as an antagonist of iNKT cells.

Recent Advances in First-Row Transition Metal-Catalyzed Reductive Coupling Reactions for π-Bond Functionalization and C-Glycosylation

ConspectusEfficient construction of ubiquitous carbon-carbon bonds between two electrophiles has garnered interest in recent decades, particularly if it is mediated by nonprecious, first-row transition metals. Reductive coupling has advantages over traditional cross-coupling by obviating the need for stoichiometric air- and moisture-sensitive organometallic reagents. By harnessing transition metal-catalyzed reductive coupling as a powerful tool, intricate molecular architectures can be readily assembled through the installation of two C-C bonds across π systems (alkenes/alkynes) via reaction with two appropriate electrophiles. Despite advances in reductive alkene difunctionalization, there remains significant potential for the discovery of novel reaction pathways. In this regard, development of reductive protocols that enable the union of challenging alkyl/alkynyl electrophiles in high regio- and chemoselectivity remains a highly sought-after goal.Apart from π-bond functionalization, reductive coupling has found application in carbohydrate chemistry, particularly in the synthesis of valuable C-glycosyl compounds. In this vein, suitable glycosyl donors can be used to generate reactive glycosyl radical intermediates under reductive conditions. Through elaborately designed reactions, these intermediates can be trapped to furnish pharmaceutically relevant glycoconjugates. Consequently, diversification in C-glycosyl compound synthesis using first-row transition metal catalysis holds strong appeal.In this Account, we summarize our efforts in the development of first-row transition metal-catalyzed reductive coupling reactions for applications in alkene/alkyne functionalization and C-glycosylation. We will first discuss the nickel (Ni)-catalyzed reductive difunctionalization of alkenes, aided by an 8-aminoquinoline (AQ) directing auxiliary. Next, we highlight the Ni-catalyzed hydroalkylation of alkenyl amides tethered with a similar AQ-derived directing auxiliary. Lastly, we discuss an efficient synthesis of 1,3-enynes involving site- and stereoselective reductive coupling of terminal alkynes with alkynyl halides and NHPI esters.Beyond alkene dicarbofunctionalization, we extended the paradigm of transition metal-catalyzed reductive coupling toward the construction of C-glycosidic linkages in carbohydrates. By employing an earth-abundant iron (Fe)-based catalyst, we show that useful glycosyl radicals can be generated from glycosyl chlorides under reductive conditions. These intermediates can be captured in C-C bond formation to furnish valuable C-aryl, C-alkenyl, and C-alkynyl glycosyl compounds with high diastereoselectivity. Our Ni-catalyzed multicomponent union of glycosyl chlorides, aryl/alkyl iodides, and isobutyl chloroformate under reductive conditions led to the stereoselective synthesis of C-acyl glycosides. In addition to Fe and Ni, we discovered a Ti-catalyzed/Mn-promoted synthetic route to access C-alkyl and C-alkenyl glycosyl compounds, through the reaction of glycosyl chlorides with electron-deficient alkenes/alkynes. We further developed an electron donor-acceptor (EDA) photoactivation system leveraging decarboxylative and deaminative strategies for C-glycosylation under Ni catalysis. This approach has been demonstrated to selectively activate carboxyl and amino motifs to furnish glycopeptide conjugates. Finally, through two distinct catalytic transformations of bench-stable heteroaryl glycosyl sulfones, we achieved stereodivergent access to both α- and β-anomers of C-aryl glycosides, one of which involves a Ni-catalyzed reductive coupling with aryl iodides.The findings presented in this Account are anticipated to have far-reaching implications beyond our research. We foresee that these results will pave the way for new transformations founded on the concept of reductive coupling, leading to the discovery of novel applications in the future.

Stereospecific Acylative Suzuki–Miyaura Cross-Coupling: General Access to Optically Active α-Aryl Carbonyl Compounds

A novel strategy for the stereospecific Pd-catalyzed acylative cross-coupling of enantiomerically enriched alkylboron compounds has been developed. The protocol features an extremely high level of enantiospecificity to allow facile access to synthetically challenging and valuable chiral ketones and carboxylic acid derivatives. The use of a sterically encumbered and electron-rich phosphine ligand proved to be crucial for the success of the reaction. Furthermore, on the basis of experimental and computational studies, a unique mechanism for the transmetalation, assisted by the noncovalent interactions of the C(sp³)-based organoboron reagent, has been identified.

Efficient Copper-Catalyzed Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of Unprotected C-Acyl Manno-, Rhamno- and Lyxopyranosides

Due to their high stability towards enzymatic hydrolysis C-acyl glycosidic compounds are useful synthetic intermediates for potential candidates in drug discovery. Syntheses for C-acyl mannosides have remained scarce and usually employ donors obtained from lengthy syntheses. Furthermore, syntheses of unprotected C-acyl mannosides have not been reported so far, due to the incapability of the C-acyl mannoside motif with deprotection conditions for protective groups commonly used in carbohydrate chemistry. Herein, we report an efficient and highly α-selective four-step one-pot method for the synthesis of C-acyl α-d-manno-, l-rhamno- and d-lyxopyranosides from easily accessible persilylated monosaccharides and dithianes requiring only trace amounts of a copper source as catalyst and explain the crucial role of the catalyst by mechanistic studies. Furthermore, the C-acyl α-glycosides were easily isomerized to give rapid access to their β-anomers.

Pd-Catalyzed Arylation of Secondary α-Alkoxytricyclohexylstannanes

We have developed a general process for the formation of α-arylethers via the Pd-catalyzed arylation of secondary α-alkoxytricyclohexylstannanes. Incorporation of cyclohexyl spectator ligands into the alkylstannane and the use of the electron-deficient ligand JackiePhos (1) are critical for achieving selective alkyl transfer in this process. This system circumvents the need for a coordinating/directing oxygen-protecting group to promote selective alkyl transfer and enables α-tetrahydropyran, α-tetrahydrofuran, and open-chain secondary α-alkoxy groups to be employed efficiently in Pd-catalyzed Stille reactions with a broad range of aryl electrophiles. These findings suggest that selective transmetalation of a single marginally activated secondary alkyl unit from Sn to Pd should be broadly achievable provided that unactivated secondary alkyl ligands comprise the other three groups of the tetraalkylstannane.

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.

Tunable Approach to C-Linked Analogs of Glycosamines

The synthesis of (1R)-2-amino-2-deoxy-β-l-gulopyranosyl benzene and the α and β forms of 2-amino-2-deoxy-l-idopyranosyl benzene derivatives was accomplished through stereospecific addition of tributylstannyllithium to readily available (S_R)- or (S_S)-N-tert-butanesulfinyl-arabinofuranosylamine building blocks, followed by stereoretentive Pd-catalyzed Migita-Kosugi-Stille cross-coupling, stereoselective reduction, and an activation-cyclization strategy. Application of this methodology paves the way to new three-dimensional chemical space and preparation of unknown (non-natural) and complex 2-amino-2-deoxy sugars of biological interest.

Nickel-Mediated Synthesis of Non-Anomeric C-Acyl Glycosides through Electron Donor-Acceptor Complex Photoactivation

The preparation of nonanomeric C-acyl-saccharides has been developed from two different carboxylic acid feedstocks. This transformation is driven by the synergistic interaction of an electron donor-acceptor complex and Ni catalysis. Primary-, secondary-, and tertiary redox-active esters are incorporated as coupling partners onto preactivated pyranosyl- and furanosyl acids, preserving their stereochemical integrity. The reaction occurs under mild conditions, without stoichiometric metal reductants or exogenous catalysts, using commercially available Hantzsch ester as the organic photoreductant.

Synthesis of C-Oligosaccharides through Versatile C(sp3 )-H Glycosylation of Glycosides

C-oligosaccharides are pharmacologically relevant because they are more hydrolysis-resistant than O-oligosaccharides. Despite indisputable advances, C-oligosaccharides continue to be underdeveloped, likely due to a lack of efficient and selective strategies for the assembly of the interglycosidic C-C linkages. In contrast, we, herein, report a versatile and robust strategy for the synthesis of structurally complex C-oligosaccharides via catalyzed C(sp3 )-H activations. Thus, a wealth of complex interglycosidic (2→1)- and (1→1)-C-oligosaccharides becomes readily available by palladium-catalyzed C(sp3 )-H glycoside glycosylation. The isolation of key palladacycle intermediates and experiments with isotopically-labeled compounds identified a trans-stereoselectivity for the C(sp3 )-H glycosylation. The glycoside C(sp3 )-H activation manifold was likewise exploited for the diversification of furanoses, pyranoses and disaccharides.

Evolution of a Reagent-Controlled Strategy for β-Selective C-Glycoside Synthesis

C-alkyl glycosides represent an attractive class of non-hydrolyzable carbohydrate mimetics which possess enormous potential as next-generation therapeutics. Methods for the direct stereoselective synthesis of C-alkyl glycosides with a broad substrate tolerance are limited, however. This is especially in the case of β-linked C-alkyl glycosides, where direct methods for synthesis from commonly available coupling partners remain limited. This account describes the evolution of our laboratory’s studies on glycosyl sulfonate chemistry from a method for the construction of simple β-linked 2-deoxy-sugars to a technology for the direct synthesis of β-linked acyl and homoacyl glycosides that can be elaborated into more complex structures.

Palladium catalyzed decarboxylative β-C-glycosylation of glycals with oxazol-5-(4H)-ones as acceptors

Palladium catalyzed decarboxylative glycosylation of bicyclic glycals affords a series of C-glycosylated oxazol-5-(4H)-ones with high efficiency and exquisite chemo- and stereoselectivity at the anomeric center under mild reaction conditions.

Advances in Pd-catalyzed C-C bond formation in carbohydrates and their applications in the synthesis of natural products and medicinally relevant molecules

Advances in the Pd-catalyzed synthesis of C-glycosides and branched sugars are summarized herein and the strategies are categorized based on named reactions or types of sugar moieties involved in the reactions. These include cross-coupling reactions, C-H activations, and carbonylative cross-coupling reactions. Applications of Pd-catalyzed C-glycosylation reactions are discussed in the synthesis of natural products and biologically active molecules such as bergenin, papulacandin D, and SGLT2-inhibitors. Important mechanistic cycles are drawn and the mechanisms for how Pd-activates the sugar moieties for various coupling partners are discussed. The directing group-assisted C-glycosylation and some intramolecular C-H activation reactions are also included.

Synthesis of C-acyl furanosides via the cross-coupling of glycosyl esters with carboxylic acids

C-Acyl furanosides are versatile synthetic precursors to a variety of natural products, nucleoside analogues, and pharmaceutical molecules. This report addresses the unmet challenge in preparing C-acyl furanosides by developing a cross-coupling reaction between glycosyl esters and carboxylic acids. A key step is the photoredox activation of the glycosyl ester, which promotes the homolysis of the strong anomeric C–O bond through CO₂ evolution to afford glycosyl radicals. This method embraces a large scope of furanoses, pyranoses, and carboxylic acids, and is readily applicable to the synthesis of a thymidine analogue and diplobifuranylone B, as well as the late-stage modification of (+)-sclareolide. The convenient preparation of the redox active glycosyl ester from native sugars and the compatibility with common furanoses exemplifies the potential of this method in medicinal chemistry.

A cross-coupling of glycosyl esters with carboxylic acids to prepare C-acyl furanosides and pyranosides. The reaction proceeds through photoredox activation of the glycosyl ester to afford glycosyl radicals.

Facile access to C-glycosyl amino acids and peptides via Ni-catalyzed reductive hydroglycosylation of alkynes

C-Glycosyl peptides/proteins are metabolically stable mimics of the native glycopeptides/proteins bearing O/N-glycosidic linkages, and are thus of great therapeutical potential. Herein, we disclose a protocol for the syntheses of vinyl C-glycosyl amino acids and peptides, employing a nickel-catalyzed reductive hydroglycosylation reaction of alkyne derivatives of amino acids and peptides with common glycosyl bromides. It accommodates a wide scope of the coupling partners, including complex oligosaccharide and peptide substrates. The resultant vinyl C-glycosyl amino acids and peptides, which bear common O/N-protecting groups, are amenable to further transformations, including elongation of the peptide and saccharide chains.

C-Glycosyl peptides/proteins are metabolically stable mimics of the native glycopeptides/proteins of great therapeutic potential, but their chemical synthesis is challenging. Here, the authors report a protocol for the synthesis of vinyl C-glycosyl amino acids and peptides, via a Ni-catalyzed reductive hydroglycosylation reaction of alkyne derivatives of amino acids and peptides with glycosyl bromides.

β-Glycosyl Trifluoroborates as Precursors for Direct α-C-Glycosylation: Synthesis of 2-Deoxy-α-C-glycosides

C-Glycosides are metabolically stable mimics of natural O-glycosides and are expected to be useful tools for investigation of the biological functions of glycans. Here, we describe the synthesis of a series of aryl and vinyl C-glycosides by stereoinvertive sp³-sp² cross-coupling reactions of 2-deoxyglycosyl boronic acid derivatives with aryl or vinyl halide, mediated by a photoredox/nickel dual catalytic system. Hydrogenation of the vinyl C-glycosides afforded C-linked 2'-deoxydisaccharide analogues.

Cyanide-Free Synthesis of Glycosyl Carboxylic Acids and Application for the Synthesis of Scleropentaside A

We have developed a cyanide-free strategy for the synthesis of glycosyl carboxylic acids, which can provide 1,2-trans or 1,2-cis glycosyl carboxylic acids and is compatible with common protecting groups. The synthetic utility was demonstrated by the synthesis of 12 unreported glycosyl acids and the total synthesis of scleropentaside A.

Modular and Stereoselective Synthesis of C-Aryl Glycosides via Catellani Reaction

In this work, we describe a Catellani-type C-H glycosylation to provide rapid access to various highly decorated α-C-(hetero)aryl glycosides in a modular and stereoselective manner (>90 examples). The termination step is flexible, which is demonstrated by ipso-Heck reaction, hydrogenation, Suzuki coupling, and Sonogashira coupling. Application of this methodology has been showcased by preparing glycoside-pharmacophore conjugates and a dapagliflozin analogue. Notably, the technology developed herein represents an unprecedented example of Catellani-type alkylation involving an S_N1 pathway.

Visible-Light-Induced Pd-Catalyzed Radical Strategy for Constructing C-Vinyl Glycosides

A novel visible-light-induced palladium-catalyzed Heck reaction for bromine sugars and aryl olefins with high regio- and stereochemistry selectivity for the preparation of C-glycosyl styrene is described. This reaction takes place in one step at room temperature by using a simple and readily available starting material. This protocol can be scaled up to a wide range of glycosyl bromide donors and aryl olefin substrates. Mechanistic studies indicate that a radical addition pathway is involved.

Late-stage C(sp2)-H and C(sp3)-H glycosylation of C-aryl/alkyl glycopeptides: mechanistic insights and fluorescence labeling

C(sp³)–H and C(sp²)–H glycosylations of structurally complex amino acids and peptides were accomplished through the assistance of triazole peptide-isosteres. The palladium-catalyzed peptide–saccharide conjugation provided modular access to structurally complex C-alkyl glycoamino acids, glycopeptides and C-aryl glycosides, while enabling the assembly of fluorescent-labeled glycoamino acids. The C–H activation approach represents an expedient and efficient strategy for peptide late-stage diversification in a programmable as well as chemo-, regio-, and diastereo-selective fashion.

C–H glycosylations of complex amino acids and peptides were accomplished through the assistance of triazole peptide-isosteres. The palladium-catalyzed glycosylation provided access to complex C-glycosides and fluorescent-labeled glycoamino acids.

Versatile Glycosyl Sulfonates in β-Selective C-Glycosylation

C-Glycosides are both a common motif in many bioactive natural products and important glycoside mimetics. We demonstrate that activating a hemiacetal with a sulfonyl chloride, followed by treating the resultant glycosyl sulfonate with an enolate results in the stereospecific construction of β-linked C-glycosides. This reaction tolerates a range of acceptors and donors, including disaccharides. The resulting products can be readily derivatized into C-glycoside analogues of β-glycoconjugates, including C-disaccharide mimetics.

Synthesis of CH2-linked α-galactosylceramide and its glucose analogues through glycosyl radical-mediated direct C-glycosylation

Direct C-glycosylation of a conformationally constrained and stable C1-sp³ hybridized carbohydrate donor with a carefully designed sphingosine unit afforded the CH₂-linked analogue of antitumor-active KRN7000 and its glucose congener.

Regio- and diastereoselective Pd-catalyzed synthesis of C2-aryl glycosides

A highly regio- and diastereoselective Pd-catalyzed direct arylation reaction of 2,3-glycals is reported.

Total Synthesis of Alvaradoins E and F, Uveoside, and 10-epi-Uveoside

Concise total syntheses of the anthracenone C-glycosides alvaradoins E and F, uveoside, and 10-epi-uveoside (1-4) have been accomplished from chrysophanic acid 8 and bromosugar 9. Key steps in the syntheses include the DBU-induced coupling of 8 and 9 to produce β-C-glycoside 11, and a Pb(OAc)₄-mediated Kochi reaction to introduce the C-1' oxygen atom of the natural products. Isothermal titration calorimetry and fluorescence binding studies reveal that compounds 1 and 2 have good affinity for the plasma protein HSA.

β-Selective C-Glycosylation and its Application in the Synthesis of Scleropentaside A

C-Glycosides are carbohydrates that bear a C-C bond to an aglycon at the anomeric center. Due to their high stability towards chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis, these compounds are widely used as carbohydrate mimics in drug development. Herein, we report a general and exclusively β-selective method for the synthesis of a naturally abundant acyl-C-glycosidic structural motif first found in the scleropentaside natural product family. A Corey-Seebach umpolung reaction as the key step in the synthesis of scleropentaside A and analogues enables the β-selective construction of the anomeric C-C bond starting from unprotected carbohydrates in only four steps. The one-pot approach is highly atom-efficient and avoids the use of toxic heavy metals.