Montmorillonite K-10 clay-catalyzed Ferrier rearrangement of 2-C-hydroxymethyl-d-glycals, 3,4,6-tri-O-alkyl-d-glycals, and 3,4-(dihydro-2H-pyran-5-yl)methanol: a few unexpected domino transformations

Montmorillonite K-10 clay-catalyzed substitution reactions of 3,4,6-tri-O-alkyl-2-C-hydroxymethyl-d-glycals, 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-d-glycals, 3,4,6-tri-O-alkyl-d-glycals, and 3,4-(dihydro-2H-pyran-5-yl)methanol with a few alcohols and phenols are described. The reactions of 2-C-hydroxymethyl-d-glycals with phenols were similar to those of 2-C-acetoxymethyl-d-glycals and afforded pyrano[2,3-b]benzopyrans. This montmorillonite K-10 clay-catalyzed transformation is facile both under ambient (Method 1) and microwave conditions (Method 2). Ferrier rearrangement of 3,4-(dihydro-2H-pyran-5-yl)methanol with p-cresol, 2,6-xylenol, and ethanol led to totally unexpected transformations. Reaction of 2-C-hydroxymethyl-d-galactal with 2,6-dimethylphenol in the presence of montmorillonite K-10 led to a novel domino transformation affording 4-(5′,6′-dihydro-4H-pyran-3′-ylmethyl)-2,6-dimethylphenol. In contrast, 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-d-glucal furnished the Ferrier rearrangement product, 2,6-dimethylphenyl 4,6-di-O-acetyl-2,3-dideoxy-α-d-erythro-hex-2-enopyranoside. Also, isomerization of 3,4,6-tri-O-alkyl-d-glycals to products of allylic rearrangement, 2,3-unsaturated-O-glycosides in good yields is reported.     

1,4-Rearrangement of 7-(2-acetamido-2,3-dideoxyhex-2-enopyranosyl)theophylline derivatives

Treatment of 7-2(-acetamido-2,3-dideoxyhex-2-enopyranosyl)theophylline derivatives with boron trifluoride etherate in boiling methanol led to the isolation of 7-(methyl 2-acetamido-2,3,4-trideoxyhex-2-enopyranosid-4-yl)theophylline derivatives. Some mechanistic features of this 1,4-rearrangement followed by solvolysis are discussed, and a rationalization of the formation of the C-4′ derivatives in the fusion reaction of 2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-2-deoxy-d-arabino-hex-l-enitol with theophylline is offered.     

Synthesis and reactions of O-acetylated benzyl alpha-glycosides of 6-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-N-acetylmuramoyl-L- alanyl-D-isoglutamine esters: the base-catalysed isoglutamine in equilibrium glutamine rearrangement in peptidoglycan-related structures

Condensation of benzyl 2-acetamido-6-O-(2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2- deoxy-3-O-[(R)-1-carboxyethyl]-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (2) and its 4-acetate (4) with L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine benzyl ester via the mixed anhydride method yielded N-(2-O-[benzyl 2-acetamido-6-O-(2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-beta-D- glucopyranosyl)-2,3-dideoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosid-3-yl]-(R)-lacto yl)-L- alanyl-D-isoglutamine benzyl ester (5) and its 4-acetate (6), respectively. Condensation by the dicyclohexylcarbodi-imide-N-hydroxysuccinimide method converted 2 into benzyl 2-acetamido-6-O-(2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl- 2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-3-O-[(R)-1-carboxyethyl]-2-deoxy-alpha-D- glucopyranoside 1',4-lactone (7). In the presence of activating agents, 7 underwent aminolysis with the dipeptide ester to give 5. Zemplén O-deacetylation of 5 and 6 led to transesterification and alpha----gamma transamidation of the isoglutaminyl residue to give N-(2-O-[benzyl 2-acetamido-6-O-(2- acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-2,3-dideoxy-alpha-D-glucopyr anosid-3- yl]-(R)-lactoyl)-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine methyl ester (8) and -glutamine methyl ester (9). Treatment of 6 with MgO-methanol caused deacetylation at the GlcNAc residue to give a mixture of N-(2-O-[benzyl 2-acetamido-6-O-(2-acetamido-2- deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-O-acetyl-2,3-dideoxy-alpha-D-glucopyra nosid-3- yl]-(R)-lactoyl)-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine methyl ester (11) and -glutamine methyl ester (12). Benzyl or methyl ester-protection of peptidoglycan-related structures is not compatible with any of the reactions requiring alkaline media. Condensation of 2 with L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine tert-butyl ester gave N-(2-O-[benzyl 2-acetamido- 6-O-(2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-2,3-d ideoxy- alpha-D-glucopyranosid-3-yl]-(R)-lactoyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine tert-butyl ester (16), deacetylation of which, under Zemplén conditions, proceeded without side-reactions to afford N-(2-O-[benzyl 2-acetamido-6-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D- glucopyranosyl)-2,3-dideoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosid-3-yl]-(R)-la cotyl)-L- alanyl-D-isoglutamine tert-butyl ester (17).     

Degradation of 2-methylbenzoic acid by Pseudomonas cepacia MB2.

We report the isolation of Pseudomonas cepacia MB2, believed to be the first microorganism to utilize 2-methylbenzoic acid as the sole carbon source. Its growth range included all mono- and dimethylbenzoates (with the exception of 2,5- and 2,6-dimethylbenzoates) and 3-chloro-2-methylbenzoate (but not 4- or 5-chloro-2-methylbenzoate) but not chlorobenzoates lacking a methyl group. 2-Chlorobenzoate, 3-chlorobenzoate, and 2,3-, 2,4-, and 3,4-dichlorobenzoates inhibited growth of MB2 on 2-methylbenzoate as a result of cometabolism to the corresponding chlorinated catechols which blocked the key enzyme catechol 2,3-dioxygenase. A metapyrocatechase-negative mutant, MB2-G5, showed accumulation of dimethylcatechols from 2,3- and 3,4-dimethylbenzoates, and phenols were detected in resting-cell transformation extracts bearing the same substitution pattern as the original substrate, presumably following thermal degradation of the intermediate dihydrodiol. 2-Methylphenol was also found in extracts of the mutant cells with 2-methylbenzoate. These observations suggested a major route of methylbenzoate metabolism to be dioxygenation to a carboxy-hydrodiol which then forms a catechol derivative. In addition, the methyl group of 2-methylbenzoate was oxidized to isobenzofuranone (by cells of MB2-G5) and to phthalate (by cells of a separate mutant that could not utilize phthalate, MB2-D2). This pathway also generated a chlorinated isobenzofuranone from 3-chloro-2-methylbenzoate.     

Synthesis of alkyl 4,6-di-o-acetyl-2,3-dideoxy-α-d-threo-hex-2- enopyranosides from 3,4,6-tri-o-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-2-deoxy- d-lyxo-hex-1-enitol (3,4,6-tri-o-acetyl-d-galactal)

3,4,6-Tri-O-acetyl-d-galactal, on treatment in 1,2-dichloroethane with alcohols and stannic chloride as catalyst, readily undergoes allylic rearrangement-substitution, forming alkyl 4,6-di-O-acetyl-2,3-dideoxy-α-d-threo-hex-2-enopyranosides in yields of 43-92%. Alkyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-αβ-d-lyxo-hexopyranosides are formed as side-products in yields of 2-14 %. Stannic chloride-catalysis is also useful in allylic rearrangement of 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-2-deoxy-d-arabino- hex-l-enitol (3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-d-glucal) which, with methanol or ethanol, affords the corresponding alkyl 4,6-di-O-acetyl-2,3-dideoxy-α-d-erythro-hex-2-enopyranosides in yields of 83 and 94%.     

Degradation of 2-methylbenzoic acid by Pseudomonas cepacia MB2.

We report the isolation of Pseudomonas cepacia MB2, believed to be the first microorganism to utilize 2-methylbenzoic acid as the sole carbon source. Its growth range included all mono- and dimethylbenzoates (with the exception of 2,5- and 2,6-dimethylbenzoates) and 3-chloro-2-methylbenzoate (but not 4- or 5-chloro-2-methylbenzoate) but not chlorobenzoates lacking a methyl group. 2-Chlorobenzoate, 3-chlorobenzoate, and 2,3-, 2,4-, and 3,4-dichlorobenzoates inhibited growth of MB2 on 2-methylbenzoate as a result of cometabolism to the corresponding chlorinated catechols which blocked the key enzyme catechol 2,3-dioxygenase. A metapyrocatechase-negative mutant, MB2-G5, showed accumulation of dimethylcatechols from 2,3- and 3,4-dimethylbenzoates, and phenols were detected in resting-cell transformation extracts bearing the same substitution pattern as the original substrate, presumably following thermal degradation of the intermediate dihydrodiol. 2-Methylphenol was also found in extracts of the mutant cells with 2-methylbenzoate. These observations suggested a major route of methylbenzoate metabolism to be dioxygenation to a carboxy-hydrodiol which then forms a catechol derivative. In addition, the methyl group of 2-methylbenzoate was oxidized to isobenzofuranone (by cells of MB2-G5) and to phthalate (by cells of a separate mutant that could not utilize phthalate, MB2-D2). This pathway also generated a chlorinated isobenzofuranone from 3-chloro-2-methylbenzoate.     

Synthesis and KCNQ2 opener activity of N-(1-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-ethyl, N-[1-(2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-5-yl)-ethyl, and N-[1-(2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-5-yl)-ethyl acrylamides

Bioisosteric replacement studies led to the identification of N-(1-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-ethyl)-3-(2-chloro-phenyl)-acrylamide ((S)-3) as a highly potent KCNQ2 opener, and 3-(2,6-difluoro-phenyl)-N-[1-(2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-5-yl)-ethyl]-acrylamide ((S)-4), and N-[1-(2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-5-yl)-ethyl]-3-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-acrylamide ((S)-5) as highly efficacious KCNQ2 openers. In contrast, their respective R enantiomers showed significantly less or no appreciable KCNQ2 opener activity even at the highest concentration tested (10 microM). Because of its high potency and moderate efficacy as well as its convenient synthesis, (+/-)-3 was selected as a reference compound for analyzing efficacies of KCNQ openers in electrophysiology studies. Compounds (S)-4 and (S)-5 demonstrated significant activity in reducing neuronal hyperexcitability in rat hippocampal slices. The synthesis and the KCNQ2 opener activity of these acrylamides are described.     

Synthesis and in vitro antitumor activity of thiophene analogues of 5-chloro-5,8-dideazafolic acid and 2-methyl-2-desamino-5-chloro-5,8-dideazafolic acid

N-[5-[N-(2-Amino-5-chloro-3,4-dihydro-4-oxoquinazolin-6-yl)methylamino]-2-thenoyl]-L-glutamic acid (6) and N-[5-[N-(5-chloro-3,4-dihydro-2-methyl-4-oxoquinazolin-6-yl)methylamino]-2-thenoyl]-L-glutamic acid (7), the first reported thiophene analogues of 5-chloro-5,8-dideazafolic acid, were synthesized and tested as inhibitors of tumor cell growth in culture. 4-Chloro-5-methylisatin (10) was converted stepwise to methyl 2-amino-5-methyl-6-chlorobenzoate (22) and 2-amino-5-chloro-3,4-dihydro-6-methyl-4-oxoquinazoline (19). Pivaloylation of the 2-amino group, followed by NBS bromination, condensation with di-tert-butyl N-(5-amino-2-thenoyl)-L-glutamate (28), and stepwise cleavage of the protecting groups with ammonia and TFA yielded. Treatment of 9 with acetic anhydride afforded 2,6-dimethyl-5-chlorobenz[1,3-d]oxazin-4-one (31), which on reaction with ammonia, NaOH was converted to 2,6-dimethyl-5-chloro-3,4-dihydroquinazolin-4-one (33). Bromination of, followed by condensation with and ester cleavage with TFA, yielded. The IC(50) of and against CCRF-CEM human leukemic lymphoblasts was 1.8+/-0.1 and 2.1+/-0.8 microM, respectively.     

Mineral supported facile synthesis of novel 4-hydroxybenzoxazin-2-thione N-nucleosides

One-pot montmorillonite K-10 clay-supported reactions of substituted/unsubstituted salicylaldehyde and ribosyl/deoxyribosyl thioureas expeditiously yielded novel N-nucleosides, 4-hydroxy-3,4-dihydro-3-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl or beta-D-2'-deoxyribofuranosyl)-2'-benz[e]-1,3-oxazin-2-thione via cycloisomerization of aldehyde intermediate under solvent-free microwave irradiation conditions.     

Synthesis of (±)-Deguelin

Total synthesis of (±)-deguelin was described. Thermal rearrangement of 1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl ethers of β-resorcinaldehyde and 2,3-dimethoxy-9-hydroxy-rotoxen-12(6H)-one afforded β-tubaaldehyde and dehydrodeguelin respectively. 2,2-Dimethyl-5-hydroxybenzopyran-6-yl 3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenoxy)-1-propynyl ketone was converted to the corresponding benzopyran-6-yl benzopyran-4-yl ketone, which was treated with sodium acetate to give (±)-deguelin.     

Substrate specificity of catechol oxidase from Lycopus europaeus and characterization of the bioproducts of enzymic caffeic acid oxidation

The substrate specificity of catechol oxidase from Lycopus europaeus towards phenols is examined. The enzyme catalyzes the oxidation of o-diphenols to o-quinones without hydroxylating monophenols, the additional activity of tyrosinase. Substrates containing a -COOH group are inhibitors for catechol oxidase. The products of enzymic oxidation of caffeic acid were analyzed and isolated by HPLC with diode array detection. The neolignans of the 2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin type (3, 6-8), 6,7-dihydroxy-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dicarboxy-1,2-dihydro naphthaline (1) 6,7-dihydroxy-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-carboxynaphthaline (5) and 2,6-bis-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-carboxy-3-oxacyclo-(3,0)-pent an-2-on-1-ene (4) were formed. A reaction mechanism for the formation of (1, 4 and 5) is discussed.     

Mineral Supported Facile Synthesis of Novel 4-Hydroxybenzoxazin-2-Thione N-Nucleosides

One-pot montmorillonite K-10 clay-supported reactions of substituted/unsubstituted salicylaldehyde and ribosyl/deoxyribosyl thioureas expeditiously yielded novel N-nucleosides, 4-hydroxy-3,4-dihydro-3-(β-D-ribofuranosyl or β-D-2 ′-deoxyribofuranosyl)-2 ^″-benz[e]-1,3-oxazin-2-thione via cycloisomerization of aldehyde intermediate under solvent-free microwave irradiation conditions.     

Structure and cytotoxic activity of enzymatic hydrolysis products of secoiridoid glucosides, isoligustroside and isooleuropein

Hydrolysis of isoligustroside (1) and isooleuropein (2), secoiridoid glucosides, in the presence of β-glucosidase provided 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl (2R,3S,4S)-3-formyl-3,4-dihydro-4-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-2-methyl-2H-pyran-5-carboxylate (3) and 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)methyl (2R,3S,4S)-3-formyl-3,4-dihydro-4-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-2-methyl-2H-pyran-5-carboxylate (4), respectively. The structures of 3 and 4 were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectral analyses, including 2D-NMR experiments. Compounds 3 and 4 were found to be new rearrangement products of the aglycones of 1 and 2. The cytotoxic activities of 3 and 4 were evaluated using a disease-oriented panel of 39 human cancer cell lines and showed moderate cytotoxic activity for 4, while 3 exhibited weaker activity compared to that of 4.     

Crystal structure and solid state 13C NMR analysis of N-(methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-alpha, and beta-D-glucopyranosid-2-yl)-oxamide derivative of p-chloroaniline, N,N-diethylamine, N-methylaniline and N-ethylaniline

The X-ray diffraction analysis of N-(methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosid-2-yl)-N'-p-chlorophenyloxamide (1), N-(methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosid-2-yl)-N',N'-diethyloxamide (2), N-acetyl, N-(methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosid-2-yl), N'-methyl, N'-phenyloxamide (3), N-acetyl, N-(methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosid-2-yl), N'-ethyl, N'-phenyloxamide (4) was performed. It was found that the oxamide group in compounds 1-4 can be characterized as two structurally independent amides because there is no pi conjugation across the oxalyl OC-CO bond. Only the oxamide group of 1 is planar and adopts trans conformation stabilized as two intramolecular N-H...O hydrogen bonds.     

Degradation of phenol and phenolic compounds by Pseudomonas putida EKII

Summary The phenol-degrading strain Pseudomonas putida EKII was isolated from a soil enrichment culture and utilized phenol up to 10.6 mM (1.0 g·1 ^-1) as the sole source of carbon and energy. Furthermore, cresols, chlorophenols, 3,4-dimethylphenol, and 4-chloro-m-cresol were metabolized as sole substrates by phenol-grown resting cells of strain EKII. Under conditions of cell growth, degradation of these xenobiotics was achieved only in co-metabolism with phenol. Phenol hydroxylase activity was detectable in whole cells but not in cell-free extracts. The specificity of the hydroxylating enzyme was found during transformation of cresols and chlorophenols: ortho- and meta-substituted phenols were degraded via 3-substituted catechols, while degradation of para-substituted phenols proceeded via 4-substituted catechols. In cell-free extracts of phenol-grown cells a high level of catechol 2,3-dioxygenase as well as smaller amounts of 2-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde hydrolyase and catechol 1,2-dioxygenase were detected. The ring-cleaving enzymes were characterized after partial purification by DEAE-cellulose chromatography.     

Indole alkoloids from Nauclea officinalis with weak antimalarial activity

Five indole alkaloids (naucleofficines A-E) were isolated from the stems (with bark) of Nauclea officinalis: (E)-2-(1-beta-d-glucopyranosyloxybut-2-en-2-yl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-6,7-dihydro-indolo[2,3-a]quinolizin-4(12H)-one (1), (E)-1-propenyl-12-beta-d-glucopyranosyloxy-2,7,8-trihydro-indolo[2,3-a]pyran[3,4-g]quinolizin-4,5(13H)-dione (2), (E)-2-(1-hydroxybut-2-en-2-yl)-11-beta-d-glucopyranosyloxy-6,7-dihydro-indolo[2,3-a]quinolizin-4(12H)-one (3), (E)-1-propenyl-4-hydroxy-2,4a,7,8,13b,14,14a-hepthydro-(4alpha,4abeta,13balpha,14abeta)indolo[2,3-a]pyran[3,4-g]quinolizin-5(13H)-one (4) and 1-(1-hydroxyethyl)-10-hydroxy-7,8-dihydro-indolo[2,3-a]pirydine[3,4-g]quinolizin-5(13H)-one (10-hydroxyangustoline) (5), together with two known compounds, naucleidinal (6) and angustoline (7). All of the structures of the seven compounds above were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including use of 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 2 and 3 are rare examples of monoterpene indole alkaloids with a glucopyranosyloxy group attached to position C-12. In vitro activity screening of the above seven compounds showed weak to moderate inhibitory activity against Plasmodium falciparum.     

Alternative pathways foro-xylene orm-xylene andp-xylene degradation in aPseudomonas stutzeri strain

Pseudomonas stutzeri OX1 is able to grow ono-xylene but is unable to grow onm-xylene andp-xylene, which are partially metabolized through theo-xylene degradative pathway leading to the formation of dimethylphenols toxic to OX1.P. stutzeri spontaneous mutants able to grow onm-xylene andp-xylene have been isolated. These mutants soon lose the ability to grow ono-xylene. Data from HPLC analyses and from induction studies suggest that in these mutantsm-xylene andp-xylene could be metabolized through the oxidation of a methyl substituent.P. stutzeri chromosomal DNA is shown to share homology with pWW0 catabolic genes. In the mutant strains the region homologous to pWW0 upper pathway genes has undergone a genomic rearrangement.Abbreviations BADH benzylalcohol dehydrogenase - cat catechol - C23O catechol 2,3-dioxygenase - 2,3-,3,4-,2,4-,2,6-,3,5-2,5-DMP 2,3-,3,4-,2,4-,2,6-,3,5-,2,5-dimethylphenol - 2-MBOH 2-methylbenzyl alcohol - 3-MBOH 3-methylbenzyl alcohol - 4-MBOH 4-methylbenzyl alcohol - m-,p-tol m-,p-toluate - o-,m-,p-xyl o-,m-,p-xylene     

Synthesis of methyl 2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-alpha- and beta-d-xylo-hexopyranosid-4-ulose, a keto sugar which misled the analytical chemists

To understand the contradictory results on the structure of the lipopolysaccharide isolated from a Yersinia enterocolitica O:3, both anomers of methyl 2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-d-xylo-hexopyranosid-4-ulose were prepared. The key steps of the synthetic pathway were the selective acetylation of the methyl 2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-alpha,beta-d-glucopyranosides, the oxidation of the 4-position to form the keto-sugars, and deacetylation to provide the target compound. Surprisingly, the last step was accompanied by a disproportionation to give methyl 2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-alpha- and beta-d-glucopyranosides and N-(5-hydroxy-6-methyl-4-oxo-4H-pyran-3-yl)acetamide as side-products.     

Enzyme-mediated preparation of the enantiomerically enriched isomers of the odorous tetrahydropyranyl acetates Jasmal and Jessemal, and their olfactory evaluation

All four stereoisomers of the fragrance Jasmal of structure 3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-3-pentyl-2H-pyran-4-yl acetate were prepared by enzymatic resolutions of the corresponding alcohols. The absolute configurations were unambiguously determined by comparison with the enantiomer (3R,4S)-1 prepared from L-tartaric acid. The four stereoisomers of the fragrance Jessemal of structure 3-butyl-5-methyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl acetate were obtained starting from the epoxy alcohol 10, which was obtained in an optically pure state by enzymatic resolution of the racemic mixture. The olfactory evaluations of all stereoisomers are reported. (1)H-NMR Conformational analysis of diastereoisomers (3RS,4RS,5RS)-2 and (3RS,4SR,5RS)-2 is also reported.     

Glycosidation of 2,5-anhydro-3,4-di-O-benzyl-D-mannitol with different glucopyranosyl donors: a comparative study

2,5-Anhydro-3,4-di-O-benzyl-D-mannitol was glycosylated using different donors such as tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl bromide in the presence of Hg(CN)(2), the corresponding beta-thiophenylglycoside in the presence of NIS and TfOH as well as the alpha- and beta-trichloroimidate with TMSOTf as promoter. The resulting mixtures were analyzed by HPLC and the following main components were isolated and characterized: 2,5-anhydro-3,4-di-O-benzyl-1-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-d-mannitol; 6-O-acetyl-2,5-anhydro-3,4-di-O-benzyl-1-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-D-mannitol; 2,5-anhydro-3,4-di-O-benzyl-1,6-bis-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-D-mannitol; 2,5-anhydro-3,4-di-O-benzyl-1-O-[-2-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-6-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-D-mannitol and 2,5-anhydro-3,4-di-O-benzyl-1,6-bis-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1,2-O-ethylidene-2'-yl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-D-mannitol. The latter compound representing a bis-orthoester might be a common intermediate in all the investigated reactions, as its rearrangement and/or decomposition can yield all of the isolated compounds.