SYNTHETIC GLYCODIVERSIFICATION. FROM AMINOSUGARS TO AMINOGLYCOSIDE ANTIBIOTICS. A REVIEW

Synthesis and Structural Characteristics of all Mono- and Difluorinated 4,6-Dideoxy-d-xylo-hexopyranoses

Protein-carbohydrate interactions are implicated in many biochemical/biological processes that are fundamental to life and to human health. Fluorinated carbohydrate analogues play an important role in the study of these interactions and find application as probes in chemical biology and as drugs/diagnostics in medicine. The availability and/or efficient synthesis of a wide variety of fluorinated carbohydrates is thus of great interest. Here, we report a detailed study on the synthesis of monosaccharides in which the hydroxy groups at their 4- and 6-positions are replaced by all possible mono- and difluorinated motifs. Minimization of protecting group use was a key aim. It was found that introducing electronegative substituents, either as protecting groups or as deoxygenation intermediates, was generally beneficial for increasing deoxyfluorination yields. A detailed structural study of this set of analogues demonstrated that dideoxygenation/fluorination at the 4,6-positions caused very little distortion both in the solid state and in aqueous solution. Unexpected trends in α/β anomeric ratios were identified. Increasing fluorine content always increased the α/β ratio, with very little difference between regio- or stereoisomers, except when 4,6-difluorinated.

Synthesis of Ring II/III Fragment of Kanamycin: A New Minimum Structural Motif for Aminoglycoside Recognition

A novel protocol has been established to prepare the kanamycin ring II/III fragment, which has been validated as a minimum structural motif for the development of new aminoglycosides on the basis of its bactericidal activity even against resistant strains. Furthermore, its ability to act as a AAC-(6′) and APH-(3′) binder, and as a poor substrate for the ravenous ANT-(4′), makes it an excellent candidate for the design of inhibitors of these aminoglycoside modifying enzymes.

From glycals to aminosugars: a challenging test for new stereoselective aminohydroxylation and related methodologies

The most relevant methods to access 1-, 2-, 3-amino or 1,2-diaminosugars starting from unsaturated carbohydrates are concisely reviewed; the given examples illustrate the great challenges offered to several stereoselective strategies.

Update on carbohydrate-containing antibacterial agents

BACKGROUND

Since the first known use of antibiotics > 2,500 years ago, a research field with immense importance for the welfare of mankind has been developed. After a decrease in interest in this topic by the end of the 20th century the occurrence of (poly-)resistant strains of bacteria induced a revival of antibiotics research. Health systems have been seeking viable and reliable solutions to this dangerous and expansive threat.

OBJECTIVE

This review will focus on carbohydrate-containing antibiotics and will give an outline of recently published novel isolated, semisynthetic as well as synthetic structures, their mechanism of action, if known, and the strategies for the design of compounds with potential by improved antibacterial properties.

METHODS

The literature between 2000 and 2008 was screened with main focus on recent examples of novel structures and strategies for the lead finding of exclusively antibacterial agents.

RESULTS/CONCLUSION

With the explanation of the role of the carbohydrate moieties in the respective antibacterial agents together with better synthetic strategies in carbohydrate chemistry as well as improvements in assay development for high throughput screening methods, carbohydrate-containing antibiotics can be used for the finding of potential drug leads that contribute to the fight against infections and diseases caused by (resistant) bacterial pathogens.

Recent trends in the synthesis of O-glycosides of 2-amino-2-deoxysugars

The discovery of new methods for stereoselective glycoside synthesis and convergent oligosaccharide assembly has been critical for the area of glycosciences. At the heart of this account is the discussion of the approaches for stereoselective synthesis of glycosides of 2-amino-2-deoxysugars that have emerged during the past two decades. The introductory part provides general background information and describes the key features and challenges for the synthesis of this class of compounds. Subsequently, major approaches to the synthesis of 2-amino-2-deoxyglycosides are categorized and discussed. Each subsection elaborates on the introduction (or protection) of the amino functionality, synthesis of glycosyl donors by introduction of a suitable leaving group, and glycosidation. Wherever applicable, the deprotection of a temporary amino group substituent and the conversion onto the natural acetamido functionality is described. The conclusions part evaluates the current standing in the field and provides a perspective for future developments.