Fluorinated carbohydrates as potential plasma membrane modifiers. Synthesis of 4- and 6-fluoro derivatives of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-hexopyranoses

2-Amino-2,4-dideoxy-4-fluoro- and 2-amino-2,4,6-trideoxy-4, 6-difluoro-D-galactose, and 2-amino-2,4-dideoxy-4-fluoro- and 2-amino-4-deoxy-4, 4-difluoro-D-xylo-hexose were synthesized, as potential modifiers of tumor cell-surface glyco-conjugate, from benzyl 2-acetamido-3-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-4, 6-di-O-mesyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside and benzyl 2-acetamido-3, 6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-4-O-mesyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside, which were converted into the corresponding 4,6-difluoro-2,4, 6-trideoxy and 2,4-dideoxy-4-fluoro derivatives. Benzyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-mesyl-alpha-D-galactopyranoside and benzyl 2-acetamido-3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-alpha-D-xylo-hexo-4-ulopyra noside were treated with diethylaminosulfur trifluoride to give 2-amino-2,4-dideoxy-4-fluoro-D-glucose and 2-amino-2,4-dideoxy-4, 4-di-fluoro-D-xylo-hexose derivatives, respectively, to give after deprotection the target compounds. Several of the peracetylated sugar derivatives inhibited L1210 tumor-cell growth in vitro at concentrations of 1-5 10(-5) M. The peracetylated derivative of 2-amino-2,4-dideoxy-4-fluoro-D-galactose inhibited protein and glycoconjugate biosynthesis, and also exhibited antitumor activity in mice with L1210 leukemia.     

Synthesis of di-, tri-, and tetra-saccharides corresponding to receptor structures recognised by Streptococcus pneumoniae

Syntheses are described for methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-α-d-glucopyranoside, methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranoside, methyl 3-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl-β-d-galactopyranoside, methyl 3-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-β-d-galactopyranoside, and methyl 4-O-[3-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-β-d-galactopyranosyl]- β-d-glucopyranoside.     

Synthesis of methyl (or propyl) 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside 6-(α-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate) and derivatives for the study of the phosphoric ester linkage in the Micrococcus lysodeikticus cell-wall

Methyl 2-acetamido-3-O-allyl-2-deoxy-4-O-methyl-α-D-glucopyranoside, methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-methyl-α-D-glucopyranoside, and methyl 2-acetamido-3,4-di-O-allyl-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside, prepared from methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside, were coupled with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate (13), to give the phosphoric esters methyl 2-acetamido-3-O-allyl-2-deoxy-4-O-methyl-α-D-glucopyranoside 6-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate) (16), methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-methyl-α-D-glucopyranoside 6-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate) (23), and methyl 2-acetamido-3,4-di-O-allyl-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside 6-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate) (17). Compound 13 was prepared from penta-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranose by the phosphoric acid procedure, or by acetylation of α-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate. Removal of the allyl groups from 16 and 17 gave 23 and methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside 6-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate) (19), respectively. O-Deacetylation of 23 gave methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-methyl-α-D-glucopyranoside 6-(α-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate) (26) and O-deacetylation of 19 gave methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside 6-(α-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate) (24). Propyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside 6-(α-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate) (25) was prepared by coupling 13 with allyl 2-acetamido-3,4-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside, followed by catalytic hydrogenation of the product to give the propyl glycoside, which was then O-deacetylated. Compounds 24, 25, and 26 are being employed in structural studies of the Micrococcus lysodeikticus cell-wall.     

Synthesis of aminoethylglycosides with oligosaccharide GM1 and asialo-GM1 ganglioside chains

4'-O-Glycosylation of 2-azidoethyl 2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-4-O-(2,3-di-O- benzyl-6-O-benzoyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside with a disaccharide donor, 4-trichloroacetamidophenyl 4,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-3-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D- galactopyranosyl)-1-thio-2-trichloroacetamido-beta-D-galactopyranoside, in dichloromethane in the presence of N-iodosuccinimide and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid resulted in a tetrasaccharide, 2-azidoethyl (2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1-->3)- (4,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-trichloroacetamido-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)- (1-->4)-(2,3-di-O-benzyl-6-O-benzoyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)- (1-->4)-2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, in 69% yield. The complete removal of O-protecting groups in the tetrasaccharide, the replacement of N-trichloroacetyl by N-acetyl group, and the reduction of the aglycone azide group to amine led to the target aminoethyl glycoside of beta-D-Gal- (1-->3)-beta-D-GalNAc-(1-->4)-beta-D-Gal-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glc-OCH2CH2NH2 containing the oligosaccharide chain of asialo-GM1 ganglioside in 72% overall yield. Selective 3'-O-glycosylation of 2-azidoethyl 2,3,6-tri-O- benzyl-4-O-(2,6-di-O-benzyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside with thioglycoside methyl (ethyl 5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O- acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-2-thio-D-glycero-alpha-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosyl)oate in acetonitrile in the presence of N-iodosuccinimide and trifluoroacetic acid afforded 2-azidoethyl [methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl- 3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosyl)oate in acetonitrile in the presence of N-iodosuccinimide and tri-fluoracetic acid afforded 2-azidoethyl[methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl- 3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosyl) (2,6-di-O-benzyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1-->4)-2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D- glucopyranoside, the selectively protected derivative of the oligosaccharide chain of GM3 ganglioside, in 79% yield. Its 4'-O-glycosylation with a disaccharide glycosyl donor, (4-trichloroacetophenyl-4,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-3-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O- acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl) 1-thio-2-trichloroacetamido-beta-D-galactopyranoside in dichloromethane in the presence of N-iodosuccinimide and trifluoroacetic acid gave 2-azidoethyl (2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)- (1-->3)-(4,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-trichloroacetamido-beta-D- galactopyranosyl)-(1-->4)-[[methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D- galacto-2-nonulopyranosyl)onate]-(2-->3)]-(2,6-di-O-benzyl-beta-D- galactopyranosyl)-(1-->4)-2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside in 85% yield. The resulting pentasaccharide was O-deprotected, its N-trichloroacetyl group was replaced by N-acetyl group, and the aglycone azide group was reduced to afford in 85% overall yield aminoethyl glycoside of beta-D-Gal-(1-->3)-beta-D-GalNAc-(1-->4)-[alpha-D-Neu5Ac-(2-->3)]- beta-D-Gal-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glc-OCH2CH2NH2 containing the oligosaccharide chain of GM1 ganglioside. The English version of the paper: Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry, 2004, vol. 30, no. 1; see also http://www.maik.ru.     

Fluorinated carbohydrates as potential plasma membrane modifiers and inhibitors. Synthesis of 2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-6-fluoro-D-galactose

Reaction of benzyl 2-acetamido-3,4-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-6-O-mesyl-alpha-D-galactopyran oside with cesium floride gave benzyl 2-acetamido-3,6-anhydro-4-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranoside instead of the desired 6-fluoro derivative. Acetonation of benzyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-6-O-mesyl-alpha-D-galactopyranoside gave the corresponding 3,4-O-isopropylidene derivative. The 6-O-mesyl group was displaced by fluorine with cesium fluoride in boiling 1,2-ethanediol, and hydrolysis and subsequent N-acetylation gave the target compound. In another procedure, treatment of 2-acetamido-1,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-alpha-D-galactose with N-(diethylamino)sulfur trifluoride gave 2-acetamido-1,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-2,6-dideoxy-6-fluoro-D-galactose which, on acid hydrolysis followed by N-acetylation, gave 2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-6-fluoro-D-galactose.     

Synthetic mucin fragments. Methyl 6-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glycopyranosyl)-β-D-galactopyranoside,methyl 3,4-di-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glycopyranosyl)-β-D-galactopyranoside,and methyl O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1 å 3)-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 å 3)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β- D-glucopyranosyl)-(1 å 3)-β-D-galactopyranoside

Condensation of methyl 2,6-di-O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranoside with 2-methyl-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1,2-dideoxy-α-d-glucopyrano)-[2,1,-d]-2-oxazoline (1) in 1,2-dichloroethane, in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid, afforded a trisaccharide derivative which, on deacetylation, gave methyl 3,4-di-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-2,6-di-O-benzyl-β-d- glactopyranoside (5). Hydrogenolysis of the benzyl groups of 5 furnished the title trisaccharide (6). A similar condensation of methyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranoside with 1 produced a partially-protected disacchraide derivative, which, on O-deacetylation followed by hydrogenolysis, gave methyl 6-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-β-d-glactopyranoside (10). Condensation of methyl 3-O-(2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-2,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-β-d- galactopyranoside with 3-O-(2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-α-d-galactopyranosyl bromide in 1:1 benzene-nitromethane in the presence of powdered mercuric cyanide gave a fully-protected tetrasaccharide derivative, which was O-deacetylated and then subjected to catalytic hydrogenation to furnish methyl O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1→3)-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1å3)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy- β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1å3)-β-d-galactopyranoside (15). The structures of 6, 10, and 15 were established by ¹³C-n.m.r. spectroscopy.     

Carbohydrates from Cynanchum otophyllum

Four new carbohydrates were isolated from the acidic hydrolysis part of the ethyl acetate extract of Cynanchum otophyllum Schneid (Asclepiadaceae). Their structures were determined as methyl 2,6-dideoxy-3-O-methyl-beta-D-arabino-hexopyranosyl-(1-->4)-6-deoxy-3-O-methyl-beta-D-ribo-hexopyranosyl-(1-->4)-6-deoxy-3-O-methyl-alpha-L-ribo-hexopyranoside (1), methyl 6-deoxy-1,3-di-O-methyl-beta-D-ribo-hexosyl-(1-->4)-2,6-dideoxy-3-O-methyl-alpha-D-arabino-hexopyranoside (2), methyl 2,6-dideoxy-3-O-methyl-beta-D-arabino-hexopyranosyl-(1-->4)-6-deoxy-3-O-methyl-alpha-L-ribo-hexopyranoside (3), and 2,6-dideoxy-3-O-methyl-beta-D-arabino-hexopyranosyl-(1-->4)-2,6-dideoxy-3-O-methyl-alpha-D-arabino-hexopyranosyl-(1-->4)-2,6-dideoxy-3-O-methyl-beta-D-lyxo-hexopyranose (4), respectively, by spectral methods.     

A chemoenzymatic route to mannosamine derivatives bearing different N-acyl groups

The chemoenzymatic route to 2-deoxy-2-propionamido-D-mannose (1b), 2-butyramido-2-deoxy-D-mannose (2b) and 2-deoxy-2-phenylacetamido-D-mannose (3b) involved N-acylation of 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose followed by alkaline C-2 epimerization and selective microbial removal of the epimers with gluco-configuration. The latter step employed whole cells of Rhodococcus equi A4 able to degrade 2-deoxy-2-propionamido-D-glucose (1a), 2-butyramido-2-deoxy-D-glucose (2a) and 2-deoxy-2-phenylacetamido-D-glucose (3a) but inactive towards the corresponding manno-isomers. The metabolism of the gluco-isomers probably involved phosphorylation and subsequent deacylation. 2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-6-O-phospho-D-glucose amidohydrolase [EC 3.5.1.25] but not 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose amidohydrolase was detected in the cell extract, the former enzyme being partially purified (15.8-fold with an overall yield of 18.1% and a specific activity of 0.95 units mg-1 protein). According to SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, gel filtration and mass spectrometry, the enzyme was a monomer with an apparent molecular mass of approximately 42 kDa. The optimum temperature and pH of the enzyme were 60 degrees C and 8.0-9.0, respectively. 2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-6-O-phospho-D-glucose and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-6-O-sulfo-D-glucose but not 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-1-O-phospho-D-glucose or 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose were substrates of the enzyme. Its activity was slightly inhibited by the addition of 1 mM Al3+, Ca2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Mn2+ or Zn2+ and activated by 1 mM Mg2+. The concentrated enzyme is highly stable at 4 degrees C in the presence of 0.1 M ammonium sulfate.     

Synthèse du méthyl-2-acétamido-2-désoxy-β-D-glucofuranoside et de dérivés

Methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-5,6-O-isopropylidene-β-D-glucofuranoside was prepared in excellent yield from methyl 2-benzamido-2-deoxy-5,6-O-isopropylidene-β-D-glucofuranoside by alkaline hydrolysis, followed by selective N-acetylation. Treatment with 60% acetic acid at room temperature gave syrupy methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucofuranoside, characterized by a crystalline tri-O-p-nitrobenzoyl derivative. The same treatment, at 100° gave methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranoside. In an alternative procedure, the selective N-acetylation was performed after acetic acid hydrolysis of methyl 2-amino-2-deoxy-5,6-O-isopropylidene-β-D-glucofuranoside. Several derivatives of methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucofuranoside were prepared and compared with the corresponding pyranosides. The furanoside structure was clearly demonstrated by mass spectrometry and periodate oxidation.     

A concise synthesis of 4-nitrophenyl 2-azido-2-deoxy- and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-mannopyranosides

4-nitrophenyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxy-alpha- and beta-D-mannopyranosides were prepared from methyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-alpha-D-glucopyranoside and 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranose, respectively. Chemoselective reduction of both azides with hydrogen sulfide readily afforded 4-nitrophenyl 2-acetamido-4,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-alpha-D- and -beta-D-mannopyranosides in higher yields than reduction with triphenylphosphine or a polymer-supported triarylphosphine. Subsequent de-O-acetylation yielded 4-nitrophenyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-mannopyranoside and 4-nitrophenyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-mannopyranoside in 20% and 44% overall yields, respectively.     

Functional characterization of dehydratase/aminotransferase pairs from Helicobacter and Campylobacter: enzymes distinguishing the pseudaminic acid and bacillosamine biosynthetic pathways

Helicobacter pylori and Campylobacter jejuni have been shown to modify their flagellins with pseudaminic acid (Pse), via O-linkage, while C. jejuni also possesses a general protein glycosylation pathway (Pgl) responsible for the N-linked modification of at least 30 proteins with a heptasaccharide containing 2,4-diacetamido-2,4,6-trideoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranose, a derivative of bacillosamine. To further define the Pse and bacillosamine biosynthetic pathways, we have undertaken functional characterization of UDP-alpha-D-GlcNAc modifying dehydratase/aminotransferase pairs, in particular the H. pylori and C. jejuni flagellar pairs HP0840/HP0366 and Cj1293/Cj1294, as well as the C. jejuni Pgl pair Cj1120c/Cj1121c using His(6)-tagged purified derivatives. The metabolites produced by these enzymes were identified using NMR spectroscopy at 500 and/or 600 MHz with a cryogenically cooled probe for optimal sensitivity. The metabolites of Cj1293 (PseB) and HP0840 (FlaA1) were found to be labile and could only be characterized by NMR analysis directly in aqueous reaction buffer. The Cj1293 and HP0840 enzymes exhibited C6 dehydratase as well as a newly identified C5 epimerase activity that resulted in the production of both UDP-2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-beta-L-arabino-4-hexulose and UDP-2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-alpha-D-xylo-4-hexulose. In contrast, the Pgl dehydratase Cj1120c (PglF) was found to possess only C6 dehydratase activity generating UDP-2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-alpha-D-xylo-4-hexulose. Substrate-specificity studies demonstrated that the flagellar aminotransferases HP0366 and Cj1294 utilize only UDP-2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-beta-L-arabino-4-hexulose as substrate producing UDP-4-amino-4,6-dideoxy-beta-L-AltNAc, a precursor in the Pse biosynthetic pathway. In contrast, the Pgl aminotransferase Cj1121c (PglE) utilizes only UDP-2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-alpha-D-xylo-4-hexulose producing UDP-4-amino-4,6-dideoxy-alpha-D-GlcNAc (UDP-2-acetamido-4-amino-2,4,6-trideoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranose), a precursor used in the production of the Pgl glycan component 2,4-diacetamido-2,4,6-trideoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranose.     

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.     

Selective pivaloylation of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy sugars

Selective pivaloylation of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose, its methyl alpha- and beta-glycosides, and the methyl alpha-glycoside of N-acetyl-D-muramic acid under various conditions has been studied. The structures of the products were established by 1H-n.m.r. spectroscopy and acetylation. The orders of acylation, HO-6 greater than HO-3 greater than HO-1 greater than HO-4 for 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose and HO-6 greater than HO-3 greater than HO-4 for its methyl glycosides, were established. Methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3,6-di-O-pivaloyl-alpha- and -beta-D-glucopyranosides and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-1,3,4,6-tetra-O-pivaloyl-D-glucopyranose were hydrolysed by rabbit serum esterases.     

Syntheses of the methyl glycosides of the repeating units of chondroitin 4- and 6-sulfate

3,4,6-Tri-O-acetyl-D-galactal was transformed into methyl 6-O-acetyl-2-azido-4-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-beta-D-galactopyranoside and its 4-O-acetyl-6-O-benzyl analogue, each of which was glycosylated with activated, O-acetylated derivatives of methyl D-glucopyranosyluronate. The resulting beta-(1----3)-linked disaccharide derivatives were each reductively N-acetylated, hydrogenolysed, O-sulfated, and saponified to afford the disodium salts of methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid)-4-O-sulfo-beta-D-galactopyranoside and the 6-O-sulfo analogue. D-Galactal was also transformed into activated derivatives of 2-azido-3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-D-galactopyranose and their 3,4-di-O-benzyl analogues with various substituents at O-4 and O-6. These glycosyl donors were condensed with 6-O-protected derivatives of methyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside to give the beta-(1----4)-linked disaccharide derivatives, which were selectively deprotected, then oxidised at C-6 of the gluco unit, reductively N-acetylated, selectively deprotected, O-sulfated at C-4 or C-6 of the galacto unit, and hydrogenolysed to give the disodium salts of methyl 4-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-sulfo-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-beta-D- glucopyranosiduronic acid and the 6-O-sulfo analogue.     

A convenient synthetic route to the disaccharide repeating-unit of peptidoglycan

Glycosylation of the readily accessible benzyl 2-acetamido-6-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-3-O-[(R)-1-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]-alpha- D- glucopyranoside with 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-beta-D-glucopyranosyl chloride (2), using the silver triflate method in the absence of a base, afforded 65-70% of the fully protected [beta-D-GlcNPhth-(1----4)-MurNAc] methyl ester derivative 4, the structure of which was ascertained on the basis of 500-MHz 1H-n.m.r. data. 2,2'-Dideoxy-2,2'-diphthalimido-beta,beta-trehalose hexa-acetate was a by-product. Removal of the Phth group from 4, followed by acetylation, yielded 90% of the acetylated 1,6-di-O-benzyl derivative 5, which, on saponification and catalytic hydrogenation, afforded 2-acetamido-4-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-3-O-[(R)-1- carboxyethyl]-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose. Similarly, 5 was converted into the acetylated methyl ester derivative, which, on selective removal of the methyl ester group, gave benzyl 2-acetamido-4-O-(2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-beta-D- glucopyranosyl)-6-O-benzyl-3-O-[(R)-1-carboxyethyl]-2-deoxy-alpha-D- glucopyranoside. An alternative route for the preparation of 2 is described.     

The separation of chondroitin sulfate disaccharides and hyaluronan oligosaccharides by capillary zone electrophoresis

We have developed techniques for the separation of unsulfated (2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(4-deoxy-alpha-L-threo- hex-4-enopyranosyluronicacid)-D-galactose and -D-glucose), monosulfated (2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3- O-(4-deoxy-2-O-sulfo-alpha-L-threo-hex-4-enopyranosyluronic acid)-D-galactose and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(4-deoxy-alpha-L-threo-hex- 4-enopyranosyluronic acid)-4-sulfo-D-galactose and -6-sulfo-D-galactose),disulfated (2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(4-deoxy-2-O-sulfo-alpha-L-threo-hex-4- enopyranosyluronic acid)-4-sulfo-D-galactose and -6-sulfo-D-galactose and 2-acet-amido-2-deoxy-3-O-(4-deoxy-alpha-L-threo-hex-4-enopy- ranosyluronic acid)-4,6-di-O-sulfo-D-galactose), and trisulfated (2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(4-deoxy-2-O- sulfo-alpha-L-threo-hex-4-enopyranosyluronic acid)-4,6-di-O-sulfo-D-galactose) isomers of chondroitin using capillary zone electrophoresis. In addition, it is possible to separate oligomers of hyaluronan by similar protocols. These techniques represent a rapid, sensitive, and reproducible technique for the assay of these molecules from digests of connective tissues.     

Synthesis of non-glycosidic 4,6'-thioether-linked disaccharides as hydrolytically stable glycomimetics

Michael addition of 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-6-thio-alpha-D-galactose (2) to 2-propyl 6-O-acetyl-3,4-dideoxy-alpha-D-glycero-hex-3-enopyranosid-2-ulose (1) afforded, as the major diastereoisomer, 2-propyl 6-O-acetyl-3-deoxy-4-S-(6-deoxy-1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-galactopyranos-6-yl)-4-thio-alpha-D-threo-hexopyranosid-2-ulose (3, 91% yield). Reduction of the carbonyl group of 3, followed by O-deacetylation gave the two epimers 7 (alpha-D-lyxo) and 8 (alpha-D-xylo) in a 1:2 ratio. On removal of the protecting groups of 8 by acid hydrolysis, formation of an 1,6-anhydro bridge was observed in the 3-deoxy-4-thiohexopyranose unit (10). The free non-glycosidic thioether-linked disaccharide 3-deoxy-4-S-(6-deoxy-alpha,beta-D-galactopyranos-6-yl)-4-thio-alpha,beta-D-xylo-hexopyranose (11) was obtained by acetolysis of 10 followed by O-deacetylation. A similar sequence starting from the enone 1 and methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-6-thio-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (12) led successfully to 2-propyl 3-deoxy-4-S-(methyl 6-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranos-6-yl)-4-thio-alpha-D-lyxo-hexopyranoside (17) and its alpha-D-xylo analog (19, major product). In this synthetic route, orthogonal sets of protecting groups were employed to preserve the configuration of both reducing ends and to avoid the formation of the 1,6-anhydro ring.     

The synthesis and acid hydrolysis of the methyl 2-amino-2-deoxy-d-glucofuranosides and their N-acetyl derivatives

Methyl 2-amino-2-deoxy-α- and β-d-glucofuranosides were isolated from the products of a Fischer glycosidation of 2-amino-2-deoxy-d-glucose. N-Acetylation gave crystalline methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-d-glucofuranoside, but the β anomer was syrupy [characterised as the tris(p-nitrobenzoate)]. The furanose structure was confirmed by periodate oxidation. The anomeric methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-glucofuranosides were hydrolysed at very similar rates, which were also similar to those for the methyl d-glucofuranosides and about double those for the methyl d-glucopyranosides. Comparison of the acid-catalysed hydrolysis of the methyl 2-amino-2-deoxy-d-glucofuranosides with that of the methyl d-glucofuranosides shows an inhibiting effect of the free amino group similar to that for the corresponding pyranosides. The rates of hydrolysis of the aminodeoxy- and acetamidodeoxyglucofuranosides were greater in deuterium oxide than in water and this, together with the markedly negative entropies of activation, suggests that these compounds are hydrolysed by mechanisms similar to those put forward for the hydrolysis of aldofuranosides.     

Nitrous acid deamination of methylated amino-oligosaccharide glycosides

G.l.c.-mass spectrometry has been used to characterize the products of N-deacetylation-nitrous acid deamination of per-O-methylated derivatives (8–11) of methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-α-D-glucopyranoside(1), methyl (2) and benzyl (3) 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosides, and methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-6-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (4). 2,5-Anhydrohexoses have been converted into alditol trideuteriomethyl ethers, alditol acetates, and aldononitriles. The importance of side reactions that lead to the formation of 2-deoxy-2-C-formylpentofuranosides is discussed.     

On the phosphate linkages and the structure of a disaccharide unit of the type-specific polysaccharide of pneumococcus type XIX

The structure of the capsular polysaccharide (S-XIX) of Pneumococcus Type XIX, which contains residues of d-glucose, l-rhamnose, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy- d-mannose, and phosphate, has been investigated by acid hydrolysis, treatment with acid phosphatase, mass spectrometry, and ¹³C-n.m.r. spectroscopy. Phosphoric esters in S-XIX were largely resistant to hydrolysis (4M HCl, 100°, 3 h). With M or 2M HCl at 100° for 3 h, 4-O-(2-amino-2-deoxy-β-d-mannopyranosyl)-d-glucose 4′-phosphate was liberated. More-drastic hydrolysis of S-XIX gave 2-amino-2-deoxy-d-mannose 3-, 4-, and 6-phosphates, and 4-O-(2-amino-2-deoxy-d-mannopyranosyl)-d-glucose and its 4′-phosphate.