Application of the anomeric samarium route for the convergent synthesis of the C-linked trisaccharide alpha-D-Man-(1-->3)-[alpha-D-Man-(1-->6)]-D-Man and the disaccharides alpha-D-Man-(1-->3)-D-Man and alpha-D-Man-(1-->6)-D-Man

C-Glycosylcrotylboronates for the Synthesis of Glycomimetics

The stereoselective synthesis of E- and Z- isomers of a C- mannosyl crotylpinacolboronate via Ni-promoted reactions on an allylic acetate and a diene precursor, respectively, is described. The E- and Z- isomers reacted with 1,2-O-isopropylidene glyceraldehyde in the presence or absence of (R)- and (S)- TRIP catalysts, to give predominantly 3,4-anti and 3,4-syn crotylation products, respectively, with moderate to high facial selectivity. These products were transformed to biologically relevant C-manno-disaccharides.

Multivalent, Stabilized Mannose-6-Phosphates for the Targeted Delivery of Toll-Like Receptor Ligands and Peptide Antigens

Mannose-6-phosphate (M6P) is recognized by the mannose-6-phosphate receptor and plays an important role in the transport of cargo to the endosomes, making it an attractive tool to improve endosomal trafficking of vaccines. We describe herein the assembly of peptide antigen conjugates carrying clusters of mannose-6-C-phosphonates (M6Po). The M6Po's are stable M6P mimics that are resistant to cleavage of the phosphate group by endogenous phosphatases. Two different strategies for the incorporation of the M6Po clusters in the conjugate have been developed: the first relies on a "post-assembly" click approach employing an M6Po bearing an alkyne functionality; the second hinges on an M6Po C-glycoside amino acid building block that can be used in solid-phase peptide synthesis. The generated conjugates were further equipped with a TLR7 ligand to stimulate dendritic cell (DC) maturation. While antigen presentation is hindered by the presence of the M6Po clusters, the incorporation of the M6Po clusters leads to increased activation of DCs, thus demonstrating their potential in improving vaccine adjuvanticity by intraendosomally active TLR ligands.

Convergent Total Synthesis of Hikizimycin Enabled by Intermolecular Radical Addition to Aldehyde

Hikizimycin (1), which exhibits powerful anthelmintic activity, has the most densely functionalized structure among nucleoside antibiotics. A central 4-amino-4-deoxyundecose of 1 possesses 10 contiguous stereocenters on a C1-C11 linear chain and is decorated with a cytosine base at C1 and a 3-amino-3-deoxyglucose at C6-OH. These distinctive structural features of 1 make it an extremely challenging target for de novo construction. Herein, we report a convergent total synthesis of 1 from four known components: 3-azide-3-deoxyglucose derivative 4, bis-TMS-cytosine 5, d-mannose 9, and d-galactose derivative 10. We first designed and devised a novel radical coupling reaction between multiply hydroxylated aldehydes and α-alkoxyacyl tellurides. The generality and efficiency of this process was demonstrated by the coupling of 7c and 8, which were readily accessible from two hexoses, 9 and 10, respectively. Et₃B and O₂ rapidly induced decarbonylative radical formation from α-alkoxyacyl telluride 8, and intermolecular addition of the generated α-alkoxy radical to aldehyde 7c yielded 4-amino-4-deoxyundecose 6-α with installation of the desired C5,6-stereocenters. Subsequent attachments of the cytosine with 5 and of the 3-azide-3-deoxyglucose with 4 were realized through selective activation of the C1-acetal and selective deprotection of the C6-hydroxy group. Finally, the 3 amino and 10 hydroxy groups were liberated in a single step to deliver the target 1. Thus, the combination of the newly developed radical-coupling and protective-group strategies minimized the functional group manipulations and thereby enabled the synthesis of 1 from 10 in only 17 steps. The present total synthesis demonstrates the versatility of intermolecular radical addition to aldehyde for the first time and offers a new strategic design for multistep target-oriented syntheses of various nucleoside antibiotics and other bioactive natural products.

Synthesis and in Vitro Characterization of Trehalose-Based Inhibitors of Mycobacterial Trehalose 6-Phosphate Phosphatases

α,α'-Trehalose plays roles in the synthesis of several cell wall components involved in pathogenic mycobacteria virulence. Its absence in mammalian biochemistry makes trehalose-related biochemical processes potential targets for chemotherapy. The trehalose 6-phosphate synthase (TPS)/trehalose 6-phosphate phosphatase (TPP) pathway, also known as the OtsA/OtsB2 pathway, is the major pathway involved in the production of trehalose in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). In addition, TPP is essential for Mtb survival. We describe the synthesis of α,α'-trehalose derivatives in the forms of the 6-phosphonic acid 4 (TMP), the 6-methylenephosphonic acid 5 (TEP), and the 6-N-phosphonamide 6 (TNP). These non-hydrolyzable substrate analogues of TPP were examined as inhibitors of Mtb, Mycobacterium lentiflavum (Mlt), and Mycobacterium triplex (Mtx) TPP. In all cases the compounds were most effective in inhibiting Mtx TPP, with TMP [IC50 =(288±32) μm] acting most strongly, followed by TNP [IC50 =(421±24) μm] and TEP [IC50 =(1959±261) μm]. The results also indicate significant differences in the analogue binding profile when comparing Mtb TPP, Mlt TPP, and Mtx TPP homologues.

Orthogonal protection of saccharide polyols through solvent-free one-pot sequences based on regioselective silylations

tert-Butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS) and tert-butyldiphenylsilyl (TBDPS) are alcohol protecting groups widely employed in organic synthesis in view of their compatibility with a wide range of conditions. Their regioselective installation on polyols generally requires lengthy reactions and the use of high boiling solvents. In the first part of this paper we demonstrate that regioselective silylation of sugar polyols can be conducted in short times with the requisite silyl chloride and a very limited excess of pyridine (2-3 equivalents). Under these conditions, that can be regarded as solvent-free conditions in view of the insolubility of the polyol substrates, the reactions are faster than in most examples reported in the literature, and can even be further accelerated with a catalytic amount of tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB). The strategy proved also useful for either the selective TBDMS protection of secondary alcohols or the fast per-O-trimethylsilylation of saccharide polyols. In the second part of the paper the scope of the silylation approach was significantly extended with the development of unprecedented "one-pot" and "solvent-free" sequences allowing the regioselective silylation/alkylation (or the reverse sequence) of saccharide polyols in short times. The developed methodologies represent a very useful and experimentally simple tool for the straightforward access to saccharide building-blocks useful in organic synthesis.

Direct 2,3-O-isopropylidenation of α-D-mannopyranosides and the preparation of 3,6-branched mannose trisaccharides

A highly efficient, regioselective method for the direct 2,3-O-isopropylidenation of α-D-mannopyranosides is reported. Treatment of various α-D-mannopyranosides with 0.12 equiv of the TsOH·H2O and 2-methoxypropene at 70 °C gave 2,3-O-isopropylidene-α-D-mannopyranosides directly in 80%~90% yields. Based on this method, a 3,6-branched α-D-mannosyl trisaccharide was prepared in 50.4% total yield using p-nitrophenyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-α-D-mannopyranoside as the starting material.

Synthesis of the C-glycoside of α-(D)-mannose-(1 → 6)-(D)-myo-inositol

The dimannosylatedinositol pseudotrisaccharide phospholipid of the lipoarabinomannan (LAM) component of the mycobacterial cell wall has attracted interest as a therapeutic target because of its uniqueness to mycobacteria, its assembly at an early stage in LAM biosynthesis and the immunological activity of oligosaccharides containing this subunit. Accordingly, analogues of this pseudotrisaccharide, α-d-mannose-(1 → 2)-α-d-mannose-(1 → 6)-d-myo-inositol are of interest as mechanistic probes and drug leads. C-glycosides are of special interest because of their hydrolytic stability and conformational differences compared to O-glycosides. Herein, as a prelude to C-glycoside analogues of this pseudotrisaccharide, we describe the synthesis of the C-glycoside of α-d-mannose-(1 → 6)-d-myo-inositol. The synthetic strategy centers on the elaboration of a C1-linked glycal-inositol, the glycone segment of which is assembled via an oxocarbenium ion cyclization on a thioacetal-enol ether precursor that originates from "glycone" and "aglycone" components.

Total synthesis of N-acetylglucosamine-1,6-anhydro-N-acetylmuramylpentapeptide and evaluation of its turnover by AmpD from Escherichia coli

The bacterial cell wall is recycled extensively during the course of cell growth. The first recycling event involves the catalytic action of the lytic transglycosylase enzymes, which produce an uncommon 1,6-anhydropyranose moiety during separation of the muramyl residues from the peptidoglycan, the major constituent of the cell wall. This product, an N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosamine-(1-->4)-1,6-anhydro-N-acetyl-beta-D-muramylpeptide, is either internalized to initiate the recycling process or diffuses into the milieu to cause stimulation of the pro-inflammatory responses by the host. We report the total syntheses of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosamine-(1-->4)-1,6-anhydro-N-acetyl-beta-D-muramyl-L-Ala-gamma-D-Glu-meso-DAP-D-Ala-D-Ala (compound 1, the product of lytic transglycosylase action on the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosamine-(1-->4)-1,6-anhydro-N-acetyl-beta-D-muramyl-L-Ala-gamma-D-Glu-L-Lys-D-Ala-D-Ala (compound 2, from lytic transglycosylase action on the cell wall of gram-positive bacteria). The syntheses were accomplished in 15 linear steps. Compound 1 is shown to be a substrate of the AmpD enzyme of the gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli, an enzyme that removes the peptide from the disaccharide scaffold in the early cytoplasmic phase of cell wall turnover.

Synthesis and glycosylation of a series of 6-mono-, di-, and trifluoro S-phenyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-thiorhamnopyranosides. Effect of the fluorine substituents on glycosylation stereoselectivity

A series of 6-mono-, di-, and trifluoro analogs of S-phenyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-D- or L-thiorhamnopyranoside has been synthesized and used as donors in glycosylation reactions, with activation by the 1-benzenesulfinyl piperidine/triflic anhydride system. The stereochemical outcome of the glycosylation reactions was found to depend on the electron-withdrawing capability of the disarming substituent at the 6-position, i.e., on the number of fluorine atoms present. The results are explained with regard to the increased stability of the glycosyl triflates, shown to be intermediates in the reaction by low-temperature 1H NMR experiments, with increased fluorine content.

The use of levoglucosenone and isolevoglucosenone as templates for the construction of C-linked disaccharides

Because of their functionalities (enone, ketone, and acetal) and their bicyclic structure (steric factors), levoglucosenone (1,6-anhydro-3,4-dideoxy-beta-D-glycero-hex-3-enopyran-2-ulose) and isolevoglucosenone (1,6-anhydro-2,3-dideoxy-beta-D-glycero-hex-3-enopyran-4-ulose) are useful templates for the convergent and combinatorial synthesis of (1-->2), (1-->3), and (1-->4)-linked C-disaccharides in reactions combining them with sugar-derived carbaldehydes. Synthetic methods relying on conjugate nucleophilic additions of these enones, their combination with aluminum reagents and aldehydes (Baylis-Hillman reaction) and modified Takai-Hiyama-Nozaki-Kishi couplings of enol triflates derived from them with sugar-derived aldehydes are reviewed. Highly stereoselective methods have thus been developed. These allow the generation of disaccharide mimetics with a high molecular diversity.

Fast oxidation of thioglycosides to glycosyl sulfones using KMnO4/CuSO4·5H2O under neutral reaction conditions

A rapid oxidation of thioglycosides to glycosyl sulfones has been achieved using a combination of KMnO4 and CuSO4*5H2O in acetonitrile and water. This reaction protocol has many advantages compared to other methods available for this transformation, including compatibility with acid and base labile functional groups used for the protection of carbohydrates, high yields, fast reaction times, and moderate reaction temperatures. The yields obtained were excellent in all cases.

Creating carbon–carbon bonds with samarium diiodide for the synthesis of modified amino acids and peptides

In this perspective, an overview of our experiences on the application of samarium diiodide in organic synthesis for the preparation of amino acid and peptide analogues is presented. Three different carbon-carbon bond forming reactions are discussed, including side chain introductions, gamma-amino acid synthesis and acyl-like radical additions for the construction of C-C mimics of the peptidic bonds.

Intra- and intermolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of sugar ketonitrones with mono-, di-, and trisubstituted dipolarophiles

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of sugar ketonitrones is a useful synthetic procedure to build up nitrogenated quaternary centers in terms of scope (substrate, dipolarophile, inter- and intramolecular versions), yield, and regio- and stereoselectivity. The hybrid ONIOM (B3LYP/6-31G(d):AM1) theoretical method followed by single-point energy calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level adequately perform to model this cycloaddition for the relatively large ketosugar precursors commonly used.

Synthesis of the C-linked disaccharide alpha-D-Man-(1-->4)-D-Man employing a SmI(2)-mediated C-glycosylation step: en route to cyclic C-oligosaccharides

Investigations are reported on the assembly of the C-linked disaccharide alpha-D-Man-(1-->4)-D-Man, representing the first steps in our projected synthesis of a cyclic C-oligomer containing repeating units of this C-dimer. The key step in this synthesis uses a SmI(2)-mediated coupling of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl 2'-pyridyl sulfone with a C4-formyl branched mannopyranoside unit, affording the C-disaccharide derivative with complete stereocontrol at the two new stereogenic centers. Subsequently, a modified tin hydride based deoxygenation produced the target carbohydrate analogue. The synthesis of the C4-formyl monosaccharide makes use of a stereoselective radical-based allylation followed by double bond migration and ozonolysis.