Synthesis of Vancomycin from the Aglycon

Glycosylation of 2-(2-Propylsulfinyl)benzyl 1,2-Orthoester Glycosides Initiated by Sulfoxide Activation

We have developed a highly effective glycosylation method that involves the activation of 2-(2-propylsulfinyl)benzyl 1,2-orthoester glycosides using triflic anhydride (Tf2O). Our research indicates that half of the glycosyl donor is activated through Tf2O via an interrupted Pummerer reaction mechanism, while the remaining portion is activated by triflic acid (TfOH) generated in situ. As a result, as little as 0.5 equiv of Tf2O is adequate for activating the orthoester glycoside donors. This glycosylation procedure offers several benefits, such as high efficiency, wide applicability, and the utilization of a recyclable leaving group.

Tetrachlorovancomycin: Total Synthesis of a Designed Glycopeptide Antibiotic of Reduced Synthetic Complexity

A technically straightforward total synthesis of a new class of vancomycin analogues of reduced synthetic complexity was developed that provided tetrachlorovancomycin (1, LLS = 15 steps, 15% overall yield) and its precursor aglycon 29 (nearly 20% overall yield). The class retains all the intricate vancomycin structural features that contribute to its target binding affinity and selectivity, maintains the antimicrobial activity of vancomycin, and achieves the simplification by an unusual addition, not removal, of benign substituents to the core structure. The modification, accomplished by addition of two aryl chloride substituents to provide 1, permitted a streamlined total synthesis of the new glycopeptide antibiotic class by removing the challenges associated with CD and DE ring system atropisomer stereochemical control. This also enabled their simultaneous and further-activated SNAr macrocyclizations that establish the tricyclic skeleton of 1. Key elements of the approach include catalyst-controlled diastereoselective formation of the AB biaryl axis of chirality (>30:1 dr), an essentially instantaneous macrolactamization of the AB ring system free of competitive epimerization (>30:1 dr), racemization free coupling of the E ring tetrapeptide, room temperature simultaneous CD and DE ring system cyclizations, a highly refined 4-step conversion of the cyclization product to the aglycon, and a protecting-group-free one-pot enzymatic glycosylation for disaccharide introduction. In addition to the antimicrobial evaluation of tetrachlorovancomycin (1), the preparation of key peripherally modified derivatives, which introduce independent and synergistic mechanisms of action, revealed their exceptional antimicrobial potency and provide the foundation for future use of this new class of synthetic glycopeptide analogues.

Improved preparative enzymatic glycosylation of vancomycin aglycon and analogues

Modifications to the enzymatic glycosylation of vancomycin and its residue 4 thioamide analogue are detailed that significantly reduce the enzyme loading and amount of glycosyl donor needed for each glycosylation reaction, provide a streamlined synthesis and replacement for the synthetic UDP-vancosamine glycosyl donor to improve both access and storage stability, and permit a single-pot, two-step conversion of the aglycons to the fully glycosylated synthetic glycopeptides now conducted at higher concentrations. The improvements are exemplified with the two-step, one-pot glycosylation of [Ψ[C(=S)NH]Tpg4]vancomycin aglycon (92%) conducted on a 400 mg scale (2 mg to 1 g scales) and vancomycin aglycon itself (5 mg scale, 84%).

Preparation of Tea Aroma Precursor Glycosides: An Efficient and Sustainable Approach via Chemical Glycosidation

Tea aroma precursor glycosides are plant-derived natural products with great economic value. However, the preparation of these glycosides remains largely overlooked in the past decades. Herein, we report a mild, efficient, and sustainable chemocatalytic procedure for the production of tea aroma precursor glycosides. During the study of the glycosidation, the catalysts were found to be decisive in the product formation favoring different reaction pathways; in addition, the influence of molecular sieves was elucidated. With regard to these findings, the serious problem of the competing orthoester formation side reaction was successfully overcome with low catalyst loading (1 mol %) and the use of 5 Å molecular sieves, leading to the preparation of a variety of tea aroma precursor β-d-glucopyranosides and β-primeverosides on a gram scale in high yields in an economical way. Taken together, the current approach features catalytic glycosidation with non-toxic and low-cost catalysts, demonstrates highly favorable greenness and sustainability, and promises industrial production of tea aroma precursor glycosides.

Application of carbohydrates in approved small molecule drugs: A review

Carbohydrates are an important energy source and play numerous key roles in all living organisms. Carbohydrates chemistry involved in diagnosis and treatment of diseases has been attracting increasing attention. Carbohydrates could be one of the major focuses of new drug discovery. Currently, however, carbohydrate-containing drugs account for only a small percentage of all drugs in clinical use, which does not match the important roles of carbohydrates in the organism. In other words, carbohydrates are a relatively untapped source of new drugs and therefore may offer exciting novel therapeutic opportunities. Here, we presented an overview of the application of carbohydrates in approved small molecule drugs and emphasized and evaluated the roles of carbohydrates in those drugs. The potential development direction of carbohydrate-containing drugs was presented after summarizing the advantages and challenges of carbohydrates in the development of new drugs.

Mechanisms of Stereodirecting Participation and Ester Migration from Near and Far in Glycosylation and Related Reactions

This review is the counterpart of a 2018 Chemical Reviews article (Adero, P. O.; Amarasekara, H.; Wen, P.; Bohé, L.; Crich, D. Chem. Rev. 2018, 118, 8242-8284) that examined the mechanisms of chemical glycosylation in the absence of stereodirecting participation. Attention is now turned to a critical review of the evidence in support of stereodirecting participation in glycosylation reactions by esters from either the vicinal or more remote positions. As participation by esters is often accompanied by ester migration, the mechanism(s) of migration are also reviewed. Esters are central to the entire review, which accordingly opens with an overview of their structure and their influence on the conformations of six-membered rings. Next the structure and relative energetics of dioxacarbeniun ions are covered with emphasis on the influence of ring size. The existing kinetic evidence for participation is then presented followed by an overview of the various intermediates either isolated or characterized spectroscopically. The evidence supporting participation from remote or distal positions is critically examined, and alternative hypotheses for the stereodirecting effect of such esters are presented. The mechanisms of ester migration are first examined from the perspective of glycosylation reactions and then more broadly in the context of partially acylated polyols.

Treating a Global Health Crisis with a Dose of Synthetic Chemistry

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has prompted scientists from many disciplines to work collaboratively toward an effective response. As academic synthetic chemists, we examine how best to contribute to this ongoing effort.

Unnatural Oligoaminosaccharides with N-1,2-Glycosidic Bonds Prepared by Cationic Ring-Opening Polymerization of 2-Oxazoline-Based Heterobicyclic Sugar Monomers

Glycooligomers and glycopolymers (glycocompounds) play important roles in maintaining homeostasis in biological systems. Glycobiology is a burgeoning area in the elucidation of biological systems for which the molecular design of glycocompounds requires further diversification, including both natural and unnatural glycocompounds. Herein, we proposed a synthesis strategy based on the chain polymerization of deliberately designed sugar monomers. Unnatural oligoaminosaccharides comprising N-1,2-glycosidic bonds were synthesized without enzymes through the cationic ring-opening polymerization of 2-oxazoline-based heterobicyclic sugar monomers. To achieve this, a heterobicyclic monomer [Glc(MeOx)], comprising protected glucosamine (GlcN) and 2-methyl-2-oxazoline (MeOx) rings, was designed. This monomer was polymerized using a binary initiating system of tert-butyl iodide (t-BuI) and GaCl₃ to afford oligo[Glc(MeOx)]. The resulting structure corresponded to the condensation product of GlcN with N-1,2-glycosidic bonds. After deprotection of oligo[Glc(MeOx)], the resulting oligoaminosaccharide had a secondary structure different to that of protected oligo[Glc(MeOx)]. Owing to the N-1,2-glycosidic bonds, the oligoaminosaccharide was not degraded by chitinase, which hydrolyzes the condensation product of GlcN with O-1,4-glycosidic bonds.

Synthesis of the Non-Reducing Hexasaccharide Fragment of Saccharomicin B

A synthesis of the nonreducing end hexasaccharide of saccharomicin B, α-l-Eva-(1→4)-α-l-Eva-(1→4)-α-l-Dig-(1→4)-α-l-Eva-(1→4)-α-l-Dig-(1→4)-β-d-Fuc, has been developed. Selective glycosylations of l-digitoxose (l-Dig) using AgPF₆/TTBP-mediated thioether activation and l-4-e pi-vancosamine (l-Eva) using Tf₂O/DTBMP-mediated sulfoxide activation produced the hexasaccharide as a single diastereomer in very good yield. This hexasaccharide is properly functionalized to serve as a glycosyl donor for the total synthesis of saccharomicin B.

Reagent-Controlled Synthesis of the Branched Trisaccharide Fragment of the Antibiotic Saccharomicin B

A concise synthesis of a branched trisaccharide, α-l-Dig-(1 → 3)-[α-l-Eva-(1 → 4)]-β-d-Fuc, corresponding to saccharomicin B, has been developed via reagent-controlled α-selective glycosylations. Starting from the d-fucose acceptor, l- epi-vancosamine was selectively installed using 2,3-bis(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)cyclopropene-1-thione/oxalyl bromide mediated dehydrative glycosylation. Following deprotection, l-digitoxose was installed using the AgPF₆/TTBP thioether-activation method to produce the trisaccharide as a single α-anomer. This highly functionalized trisaccharide can potentially serve as both a donor and an acceptor for the total synthesis of the antibiotic saccharomicin B.

Old and new glycopeptide antibiotics: From product to gene and back in the post-genomic era

Glycopeptide antibiotics are drugs of last resort for treating severe infections caused by multi-drug resistant Gram-positive pathogens. First-generation glycopeptides (vancomycin and teicoplanin) are produced by soil-dwelling actinomycetes. Second-generation glycopeptides (dalbavancin, oritavancin, and telavancin) are semi-synthetic derivatives of the progenitor natural products. Herein, we cover past and present biotechnological approaches for searching for and producing old and new glycopeptide antibiotics. We review the strategies adopted to increase microbial production (from classical strain improvement to rational genetic engineering), and the recent progress in genome mining, chemoenzymatic derivatization, and combinatorial biosynthesis for expanding glycopeptide chemical diversity and tackling the never-ceasing evolution of antibiotic resistance.

Total Syntheses of Vancomycin-Related Glycopeptide Antibiotics and Key Analogues

A review of efforts that have provided total syntheses of vancomycin and related glycopeptide antibiotics, their agylcons, and key analogues is provided. It is a tribute to developments in organic chemistry and the field of organic synthesis that not only can molecules of this complexity be prepared today by total synthesis but such efforts can be extended to the preparation of previously inaccessible key analogues that contain deep-seated structural changes. With the increasing prevalence of acquired bacterial resistance to existing classes of antibiotics and with the emergence of vancomycin-resistant pathogens (VRSA and VRE), the studies pave the way for the examination of synthetic analogues rationally designed to not only overcome vancomycin resistance but provide the foundation for the development of even more powerful and durable antibiotics.

A stepwise dechlorination/cross-coupling strategy to diversify the vancomycin 'in-chloride'

In an effort to rapidly access vancomycin analogues bearing diverse functionality at the 6c-Cl (the 'in-chloride') position, a two-step dechlorination/cross-coupling protocol was developed. Conditions for efficient cross-coupling of the relatively unreactive 6c-Cl group were found that ensure high conversion with minimal product decomposition. A set of 2c-dechloro-6c-functionalized vancomycin derivatives was prepared, and antibiotic activities of the compounds were evaluated against a panel of vancomycin-resistant and vancomycin-susceptible strains. Results from biological testing further underscore the steric sensitivity of vancomycin's binding pocket.

Total syntheses and initial evaluation of [Ψ[C(═S)NH]Tpg⁴]vancomycin, [Ψ[C(═NH)NH]Tpg⁴]vancomycin, [Ψ[CH₂NH]Tpg⁴]vancomycin, and their (4-chlorobiphenyl)methyl derivatives: synergistic binding pocket and peripheral modifications for the glycopeptide antibiotics

Full details of studies are disclosed on the total syntheses of binding pocket analogues of vancomycin bearing the peripheral L-vancosaminyl-1,2-D-glucosyl disaccharide that contain changes to a key single atom in the residue-4 amide (residue-4 carbonyl O → S, NH, H2) designed to directly address the underlying molecular basis of resistance to vancomycin. Also disclosed are studies piloting the late-stage transformations conducted on the synthetically more accessible C-terminus hydroxymethyl aglycon derivatives and full details of the peripheral chlorobiphenyl functionalization of all of the binding-pocket-modified vancomycin analogues designed for dual D-Ala-D-Ala/D-Ala-D-Lac binding. Their collective assessment indicates that combined binding pocket and chlorobiphenyl peripherally modified analogues exhibit a remarkable spectrum of antimicrobial activity (VSSA, MRSA, and VanA and VanB VRE) and impressive potencies against both vancomycin-sensitive and vancomycin-resistant bacteria (MICs = 0.06-0.005 and 0.5-0.06 μg/mL for the amidine and methylene analogues, respectively) and likely benefit from two independent and synergistic mechanisms of action, only one of which is dependent on D-Ala-D-Ala/D-Ala-D-Lac binding. Such analogues are likely to display especially durable antibiotic activity that is not prone to rapidly acquired clinical resistance.

Structure diversification of vancomycin through peptide-catalyzed, site-selective lipidation: a catalysis-based approach to combat glycopeptide-resistant pathogens

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant infections highlights the need for novel antibiotic leads, perhaps with a broader spectrum of activity. Herein, we disclose a semisynthetic, catalytic approach for structure diversification of vancomycin. We have identified three unique peptide catalysts that exhibit site-selectivity for the lipidation of the aliphatic hydroxyls on vancomycin, generating three new derivatives 9a, 9b, and 9c. Incorporation of lipid chains into the vancomycin scaffold provides promising improvement of its bioactivity against vancomycin-resistant enterococci (Van A and Van B phenotypes of VRE). The MICs for 9a, 9b, and 9c against MRSA and VRE (Van B phenotype) range from 0.12 to 0.25 μg/mL. We have also performed a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study to investigate the effect of lipid chain length at the newly accessible G4-OH derivatization site.

Enzymatic glycosylation of vancomycin aglycon: completion of a total synthesis of vancomycin and N- and C-terminus substituent effects of the aglycon substrate

Studies on the further development of the sequential glycosylations of the vancomycin aglycon catalyzed by the glycosyltransferases GtfE and GtfD and the observation of unusual, perhaps unexpected, aglycon substrate substituent effects on the rate and efficiency of the initial glycosylation reaction are reported.

Glycosyl dithiocarbamates: β-selective couplings without auxiliary groups

In this article, we evaluate glycosyl dithiocarbamates (DTCs) with unprotected C2 hydroxyls as donors in β-linked oligosaccharide synthesis. We report a mild, one-pot conversion of glycals into β-glycosyl DTCs via DMDO oxidation with subsequent ring opening by DTC salts, which can be generated in situ from secondary amines and CS2. Glycosyl DTCs are readily activated with Cu(I) or Cu(II) triflate at low temperatures and are amenable to reiterative synthesis strategies, as demonstrated by the efficient construction of a tri-β-1,6-linked tetrasaccharide. Glycosyl DTC couplings are highly β-selective despite the absence of a preexisting C2 auxiliary group. We provide evidence that the directing effect is mediated by the C2 hydroxyl itself via the putative formation of a cis-fused bicyclic intermediate.

Asymmetric catalysis at a distance: catalytic, site-selective phosphorylation of teicoplanin

We report three distinct, peptide-based catalysts that enable site-selective phosphorylation of three distinct hydroxyl groups within the complex glycopeptide antibiotic teicoplanin A2-2. Two of the catalysts are based on a design that capitalizes on a catalyst-substrate interaction that mimics the biological mechanism of action for teicoplanin. These catalysts are based on a DXaa-DXaa peptide motif that is known to target the teicoplanin structure in a specific manner. The third was identified through evaluation of a set of catalysts that had been developed for historically distinct projects. Each catalyst contains additional functionality designed to dispose a catalytic moiety (a nucleophilic alkylimidazole) at a different region of the glycopeptide structure. A combination of mass spectrometry and 2D-NMR spectroscopy allowed structural assignment of the distinct phosphorylated teicoplanin derivatives. Mechanistic studies are also reported that support the hypotheses that led to the discovery of the catalysts. In this manner, small molecule catalysts have been achieved that allow rational, catalytic control over reactions at sites that are separated by 11.6, 16.5, and nearly 17.7 Å, based on the X-ray crystal structure of teicoplanin A2-2. Finally, we report the biological activity of the new phosphorylated teicoplanin analogs and compare the results to the natural product itself.

Natural product disaccharide engineering through tandem glycosyltransferase catalysis reversibility and neoglycosylation

A two-step strategy for disaccharide modulation using vancomycin as a model is reported. The strategy relies upon a glycosyltransferase-catalyzed 'reverse' reaction to enable the facile attachment of an alkoxyamine-bearing sugar to the vancomycin core. Neoglycosylation of the corresponding aglycon led to a novel set of vancomycin 1,6-disaccharide variants. While the in vitro antibacterial properties of corresponding vancomycin 1,6-disaccharide analogs were equipotent to the parent antibiotic, the chemoenzymatic method presented is expected to be broadly applicable.

Catalytic site-selective thiocarbonylations and deoxygenations of vancomycin reveal hydroxyl-dependent conformational effects

We have examined peptide-based catalysts for the site-selective thiocarbonylation of a protected form of vancomycin. Several catalysts were identified that either enhanced or altered the inherent selectivity profile exhibited by the substrate. Two catalysts, one identified through screening and another through rational design, were demonstrated to be effective on 0.50-g scale. Deoxygenations led ultimately to two new deoxy-vancomycin derivatives, and surprising conformational consequences of deoxygenation were revealed for one of the new compounds. These effects were mirrored in the biological activities of the new analogues and support a structural role for certain hydroxyls in the native structure.

High-throughput colorimetric assays for nucleotide sugar formation and glycosyl transfer

Glycosyltransferases are ubiquitous in nature, catalyzing glycosidic bond formation in the context of an enormous range of substrates, which include all major classes of biological molecules. Because this wide range of substrates lacks a shared, distinguishable feature that can be altered by glycosyl transfer, general assays for detection of glycosyltransferase activity have long been largely limited to low-throughput methods. Of those high-throughput assays reported in the literature, many are confined to specific glycosyl transfer reactions with modified aglycon acceptors selected for their unique analytical properties. Herein are described a series of protocols centered on the use of 2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl glycoside donors and the reversibility of glycosyltransferase-catalyzed reactions to enable a colorimetric assay for the formation of sugar nucleotides, coupled reaction systems for the glycodiversification of small molecules, and a general colorimetric assay for glycosyltransfer, applicable to drug discovery, protein engineering, and other fundamental sugar nucleotide-dependent investigations.

Studies Toward the Syntheses of Pluramycin Natural Products. The First Total Synthesis of Isokidamycin

We report the first total synthesis of the complex C-aryl glycoside isokidamycin, the epimer of the naturally-occurring pluramycin antibiotic kidamycin. The synthesis features a highly efficientDiels-Alder reaction between a substituted naphthyne and a glycosylatedfuran to form the anthracene core bearing a pendant angolosamine C-glycoside. The regiochemical outcome of the Diels-Alder reaction was controlled by employing a disposable silicon-tether to link the reactive napthyne and the glycosyl furan, rendering the cycloaddition intramolecular. The benzopyranone moietyof the aromatic nucleus was appended by cyclization of a functionalized vinylogous amide onto an advanced anthrol intermediate. The vancosamine amino glycoside was introduced by an O→C-glycoside rearrangement that produced the β-anomer. Subsequent refunctionalizations then led to isokidamycin.

Protecting group-free glycoligation by the desulfurative rearrangement of allylic disulfides as a means of assembly of oligosaccharide mimetics

2-(2-Pyridyldithio-3-butenyl) glycosides react with carbohydrate-based thiols in a two-step process involving sulfenyl transfer followed by desulfurative 2,3-allylic rearrangement, promoted by either triphenylphosphine or silver nitrate, to give novel saccharide mimetics. In an alternative embodiment of the same chemistry anomeric thiols are coupled with carbohydrates derivatized in the form of 2-(2-pyridyldithio-3-butenyl) ethers. This new method of glycoligation does not require protection of hydroxyl groups and is compatible with the presence of acetamides, azides, trichloroethoxycarbamates, and thioglycosides. Variations on the general theme enable the preparation of mimetics of reducing and nonreducing oligosaccharides as well as of nonglycosidically linked systems.

Total synthesis of isokidamycin

The synthesis of isokidamycin, which represents the first total synthesis of a bis-C-aryl glycoside natural product in the pluramycin family, has been completed. The synthesis features the use of a silicon tether as a disposable regiocontrol element in an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction between a substituted naphthyne and a glycosyl furan and a subsequent O→C-glycoside rearrangement.

Sweet antibiotics - the role of glycosidic residues in antibiotic and antitumor activity and their randomization

A large number of antibiotics are glycosides. In numerous cases the glycosidic residues are crucial to their activity; sometimes, glycosylation only improves their pharmacokinetic parameters. Recent developments in molecular glycobiology have improved our understanding of aglycone vs. glycoside activities and made it possible to develop new, more active or more effective glycodrugs based on these findings - a very illustrative recent example is vancomycin. The majority of attention has been devoted to glycosidic antibiotics including their past, present, and probably future position in antimicrobial therapy. The role of the glycosidic residue in the biological activity of glycosidic antibiotics, and the attendant targeting and antibiotic selectivity mediated by glycone and aglycone in antibiotics some antitumor agents is discussed here in detail. Chemical and enzymatic modifications of aglycones in antibiotics, including their synthesis, are demonstrated on various examples, with particular emphasis on the role of specific and mutant glycosyltransferases and glycorandomization in the preparation of these compounds. The last section of this review describes and explains the interactions of the glycone moiety of the antibiotics with DNA and especially the design and structure-activity relationship of glycosidic antibiotics, including their classification based on their aglycone and glycosidic moiety. The new enzymatic methodology 'glycorandomization' enabled the preparation of glycoside libraries and opened up new ways to prepare optimized or entirely novel glycoside antibiotics.

Model for antibiotic optimization via neoglycosylation: synthesis of liponeoglycopeptides active against VRE

The neoglycosylation of a methoxyamine-appended vancomycin aglycon with all possible N'-decanoylglucopyranose and N'-biphenoylglucopyranose regioisomers led to the production of a focused set of liponeoglycopeptide variants in good yields and with excellent stereoselectivity. High-throughput antibacterial assays employing a unique set of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci faecalis and Enterococci faecium clinical isolates revealed that the nature and regiochemistry of glycosyl lipidation modulated vancomycin-resistent Enterococci potency. In contrast to prior work with lipoglycopeptides, this study reveals the glucose C3' or C4' as the optimal position for neoglycopeptide lipidation. This purely chemical method for the diversification of the glycolipid portion of lipoglycopeptide antibiotics is simple to perform on a large scale, requires minimal synthetic effort in sugar donor preparation, and provides access to highly active antibiotics that are not easily prepared by other state-of-the-art methods.

Stereocontrolled glycoside and glycosyl ester synthesis. neighboring group participation and hydrogenolysis of 3-(2'-benzyloxyphenyl)-3,3-dimethylpropanoates

[reaction: see text] The 2-O-[3-(2'-benzyloxyphenyl)-3,3-dimethylpropanoate] and 2-O-[3-(2'-benzyloxy-4',6'-dimethylphenyl)-3,3-dimethylpropanoate] esters enable the synthesis of a range of beta-glucosides and alpha-mannosides through neighboring participation in excellent yield, and are removed by hydrogenolysis in concert with the cleavage of benzyl esters in the presence of other esters making them particularly well suited to the stereocontrolled synthesis of glycosyl esters.

Donor-Bound Glycosylation for Various Glycosyl Acceptors: Bidirectional Solid-Phase Semisynthesis of Vancomycin and Its Derivatives

The glycosidation of a polymer-supported glycosyl donor, N-phenyltrifluoroacetimidate, with various glycosyl acceptors is reported. The application of the polymer-supported N-phenyltrifluoroacetimidate is demonstrated in the synthesis of vancomycin derivatives. 2-O-[2-(azidomethyl)benzoyl]glycosyl imidate was attached to a polymer support at the 6-position by a phenylsulfonate linked with a C13 alkyl spacer. Solid-phase glycosidation with a vancomycin aglycon, selective deprotection of the 2-(azidomethyl)benzoyl group, and glycosylation of the resulting 2-hydroxy group with a vancosamine unit were performed. Nucleophilic cleavage from the polymer support with acetate, chloride, azido, and thioacetate ions provided vancomycin derivatives in pure form after simple purification. The semisynthesis of vancomycin was achieved by deprotection of the acetate derivative.

Vancomycin Analogues Containing Monosaccharides Exhibit Improved Antibiotic Activity: A Combined One-Pot Enzymatic Glycosylation and Chemical Diversification Strategy

Many natural products contain carbohydrate moieties that contribute to their biological activity. Manipulation of the carbohydrate domain of natural products through multiple glycosylations to identify new derivatives with novel biological activities has been a difficult and impractical process. We report a practical one-pot enzymatic approach with regeneration of cosubstrates to synthesize analogues of vancomycin that contain an N-alkyl glucosamine, which exhibited marked improvement in antibiotic activity against a vancomycin-resistant strain of Enterococcus.

Aromatic O-glycosylation

Carbohydrates carrying an aromatic aglycon are important natural products and thus key synthetic targets. However, due to the electron-withdrawing properties of aromatic rings, phenols are difficult to glycosylate. This review covers the most common carbohydrate donors used for aromatic O-glycosylation (anomeric acetates, halides, trichloroacetimidates and thioglycosides) as well as some less common donors. The scope of the review is to give practical examples of aromatic O-glycosylations and to offer guidelines for glycosylation of typical aromatic residues. Anomeric acetates or trichloroacetimidates, activated under acidic conditions, are preferred for electron rich aromatic aglycons, while glycosyl halides, activated using basic conditions, are preferred for electron deficient aromatic residues.

Stereoselective single-step synthesis and X-ray crystallographic investigation of acetylated aryl 1,2-trans glycopyranosides and aryl 1,2-cis C2-hydroxy-glycopyranosides

Reported is an attractive and environmentally friendly method for the synthesis of the title compounds in moderate yield using inexpensive 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-acetyl-beta-D-gluco- and galactopyranoses as sugar donors, five different phenols as acceptors and H-beta zeolite as the catalyst. The yield (23-28%) of aryl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glycopyranosides obtained in this single-step procedure is considerably higher than that obtained using previously reported methods. Treatment of an orthoacetate, 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-[1,2-O-(1-p-fluorophenoxyethylidene)]-alpha-D-glucopyranose, with p-fluorophenol under the same solvent-free reaction conditions also led to the formation of the title compounds in similar yield and composition. X-ray crystallographic analysis of phenyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside and p-fluorophenyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside showed that the molecular packing is stabilized by C-H...O, C-H...pi and C-H...F interactions, in addition to regular hydrogen bonding patterns.

Neoglycorandomization and chemoenzymatic glycorandomization: two complementary tools for natural product diversification

In an effort to explore the contribution of the sugar constituents of pharmaceutically relevant glycosylated natural products, chemists have developed glycosylation methods that are amenable to the generation of libraries of analogues with a broad array of glycosidic attachments. Recently, two complementary glycorandomization strategies have been described, namely, neoglycorandomization, a chemical approach based on a one-step sugar ligation reaction that does not require any prior sugar protection or activation, and chemoenzymatic glycorandomization, a biocatalytic approach that relies on the substrate promiscuity of enzymes to activate and attach sugars to natural products. Since both methods require reducing sugars, this review first highlights recent advances in monosaccharide generation and then follows with an overview of recent progress in the development of neoglycorandomization and chemoenzymatic glycorandomization.

Identification of synthetic compounds active against VRE: the role of the lipidated aminoglucose and the structure of glycopeptide binding pocket

A modified vancomycin binding pocket (D-O-E ring) incorporating an alpha-hydroxy-beta-amino acid at the AA4 position is designed and synthesized. Some of these compounds display potent bioactivities against both sensitive- and resistant-strains (8 microg/ml against VREF). Both the lipidated aminoglucose and the structure of the 16-membered macrocycle are found to be important for the anti-VRE activities. The polyamine appendage at the C-terminal, on the other hand, improved the activity against vancomycin-sensitive strains.

Stereocontrolled Formation of β-Glucosides and Related Linkages in the Absence of Neighboring Group Participation: Influence of a trans-Fused 2,3-O-Carbonate Group

[reaction: see text] Phenyl 4,6-di-O-benzyl-2,3-O-carbonyl-beta-D-glucothiopyranoside and the regiosiomeric phenyl 2,6-di-O-benzyl-3,4-O-carbonyl-beta-D-glucothiopyranoside were prepared and studied as glucosyl donors at -60 degrees C in dichloromethane with preactivation by 1-benzenesulfinyl piperidine before addition of the acceptor alcohol. The 2,3-O-carbonate protected donor showed moderate to excellent beta-selectivity under these conditions depending on the acceptor employed, thereby providing a means for 1,2-trans-equatorial glycosidic bonds without recourse to neighboring group participation and its associated problem of ortho ester formation. In contrast, the 3,4-O-carbonate protected donor showed moderate to no beta-selectivity under the conditions employed. The results obtained in this study with carbonate protected glucopyranosyl donors are contrasted with those obtained previously in the manno- and rhamnopyranosyl series when the 2,3-O-carbonate protected is alpha-selective and the 3,4-O-carbonate is beta-selective.

A Systematic Investigation of the Synthetic Utility of Glycopeptide Glycosyltransferases

Glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of bacterial secondary metabolites may be useful for the generation of sugar-modified analogues of bioactive natural products. Some glycosyltransferases have relaxed substrate specificity, and it has been assumed that promiscuity is a feature of the class. As part of a program to explore the synthetic utility of these enzymes, we have analyzed the substrate selectivity of glycosyltransferases that attach similar 2-deoxy-L-sugars to glycopeptide aglycons of the vancomycin-type, using purified enzymes and chemically synthesized TDP beta-2-deoxy-L-sugar analogues. We show that while some of these glycopeptide glycosyltransferases are promiscuous, others tolerate only minor modifications in the substrates they will handle. For example, the glycosyltransferases GtfC and GtfD, which transfer 4-epi-L-vancosamine and L-vancosamine to C-2 of the glucose unit of vancomycin pseudoaglycon and chloroorienticin B, respectively, show moderately relaxed donor substrate specificities for the glycosylation of their natural aglycons. In contrast, GtfA, a transferase attaching 4-epi-L-vancosamine to a benzylic position, only utilizes donors that are closely related to its natural TDP sugar substrate. Our data also show that the spectrum of donors utilized by a given enzyme can depend on whether the natural acceptor or an analogue is used, and that GtfD is the most versatile enzyme for the synthesis of vancomycin analogues.

6-O-Benzyl- and 6-O-silyl-N-acetyl-2-amino-2-N,3-O-carbonyl-2-deoxyglucosides: effective glycosyl acceptors in the glucosamine 4-OH Series. effect of anomeric stereochemistry on the removal of the oxazolidinone group

[reaction: see text] The 4-OH groups of both alpha- and beta-methyl glycosides of N-acetylglucosamine, protected with an oxazolidinone spanning the nitrogen and O-3, and bearing benzyl or silyl protection on O-6, show excellent reactivity as acceptors in couplings to a range of glycosyl donors. The enhanced reactivity of these acceptors is attributed in part to the tied back nature of the oxazolidinone, which reduces hindrance around the nucleophilic oxygen. The N-acetyloxazolidinone function also reduces the tendency seen in simple N-acetylglucosamines toward amide glycosylation, and removes the possibility of problematic hydrogen bonding networks. In the beta-, but not the alpha-, series selective hydrolysis of the N-acetyloxazolidinone directly to the N-acetylglucosamine was possible with barium hydroxide, a feature attributed to chelate formation between the acetamide carbonyl group and the glycosidic oxygen in the beta-series.