Stereoselective synthesis of (1-alkoxyalkyl) α- and β-d-glucopyranosiduronates (acetal-glucopyranosiduronates): A new approach to specific cytostatics for the treatment of cancer

The reaction of methyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-1-O-trimethylsilyl-β- (5) and -α-d-glucopyranuronate (6) severally with the dimethyl or diethyl acetals of formaldehyde, bromoacetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, 3-benzyloxypropionaldehyde, 5-carboxypentanal, and 2-bromohexanal in the presence of catalytic amounts of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate at −78° gave the corresponding (1-alkoxyalkyl) α- and β-glycosides (acetal-glucopyranosiduronates) with retention of configuration at C-1 in yields of 41–91%. Instead of the dialkyl acetals, the corresponding aldehydes and alkyl trimethylsilyl ether can be used. Deacetylation gave the corresponding methyl (acetal-β- and -α-d-glucopyranosid)uronates in good yield. De-esterification of methyl [(1R)-1-methoxybutyl β-d-glucopyranosid]uronate with esterase gave the acetal-β-d-glucopyranosiduronic acid which was an excellent substrate for β-d-glucuronidase.     

Conversion of fatty aldehyde dimethyl acetals to the corresponding alk-1-enyl methyl ethers (substituted vinyl ethers) during gas-liquid chromatography

The behavior of palmitaldehyde and linolealdehyde and of their dimethyl acetals during gas-liquid chromatography on beta-cyclodextrin acetate (beta-CDX acetate) and ethylene glycol succinate polyester-phosphoric acid (EGSP) columns was studied. The aldehydes were well separated from their dimethyl acetals on the beta-CDX acetate column. However, on the EGSP column the retention times of palmitaldehyde and its dimethyl acetal were identical; a mixture of linolealdehyde and its dimethyl acetal gave a split peak. The aldehydes were recovered unchanged in 80-85% yield by preparative GLC from both columns, but the dimethyl acetals were quantitatively converted to the corresponding alk-1-enyl methyl ethers. The structure of these compounds was elucidated by infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and chemical means. Upon hydrolysis at low temperatures with 100% H(2)SO(4) they yielded the corresponding aldehydes, which were identified as 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones.     

Synthesis of the methyl thioglycosides of deoxy-N-acetyl-neuraminic acids for use as glycosyl donors.

Methyl 2-thioglycoside derivatives of 4-, 7-, 8-, and 9-deoxy-N-acetylneuraminic acids have been prepared as glycosyl donors for the synthesis of sialoglycoconjates. Reduction of a (phenoxy)thiocarbonyl group, selectively introduced at the 4 position of methyl [2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-8,9-O-isopropylidene-D- glycero-alpha-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosid]onate (1), gave the 4-deoxy compound, which was transformed via O-deisopropylidenation, acetylation, selective removal of the 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl group, subsequent acetylation, and displacement of the 2-acetoxy group by a methylthio group, into methyl (methyl 5-acetamido-7,8,9-tri-O-acetyl-3,4,5-trideoxy-2-thio-D-manno-2- nonulopyranosid)onate (17). Methyl [2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 5-acetamido-8,9-di-O-acetyl-4-O-benzoyl- 3,5,7-trideoxy-alpha-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosid]onate, prepared from 1 in five steps, and methyl [2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 5-acetamido-4,7,9-tri-O-acetyl-3,5,8-trideoxy-alpha-D-galacto-2- nonulopyranosid]onate, prepared from 1 in six steps, were converted via selective removal of the 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl group, O-acetylation, and displacement of the 2-acetoxy group by a methylthio group as described for 17, into the corresponding methyl 7- and 8-deoxy-2-thioglycosides. Reductive dechlorination of methyl [2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 5-acetamido-4,7-di-O-benzoyl-9-chloro-3,5,9-trideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-g alacto- 2-nonulopyranosid]onate, prepared from methyl [2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosid++ +]onate by selective 9-O-tert-butyldimethylsilylation, benzoylation, removal of the 9-silyl group, and selective chlorination, gave a 9-deoxy compound. This was transformed, via O-debenzoylation, O-acetylation, selective removal of the 2(trimethylsilyl)ethyl group, 2-O-acetylation, 2-chlorination, displacement with potassium thioacetate, selective S-deacetylation, and S-methylation, into the methyl 2-thio-alpha-glycoside of 9-deoxy-N-acetylneuraminic acid.     

Stereoselective (2-naphthyl)methylation of sugar hydroxyls by the hydrogenolysis of diastereoisomeric dioxolane-type (2-naphthyl)methylene acetals

The cis axial/equatorial OH groups of methyl alpha-L- and ethyl 1-thio-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, 1,6-anhydro-beta-D-mannopyranose, and 1,6-anhydro-beta-D-galactopyranose were reacted with 2-naphthaldehyde dimethyl acetal to diastereomeric dioxolane-type 2,3-O-(2-naphthyl)methylene or 3,4-O-(2-naphthyl)methylene acetals. The glycosides yielded the exo- and endo-isomers in nearly 1:1 ratio, 1,6-anhydro-beta-D-mannopyranose gave predominantly the endo-, and 1,6-anhydro-beta-D-galactopyranose exclusively endo-isomer. The acetals and some of their fully protected derivatives bearing benzyl or tert-butyldimethylsilyl groups were hydrogenolised with AlH(3) (3LiAlH(4)-AlCl(3)) or with Me(3)N.BH(3)-AlCl(3) reagents. The endo-isomers were cleaved by both reagents to give axial NAP ethers, the exo-isomers of pyranosides furnished equatorial NAP ethers. However, the exo-isomers of pyranoses gave irregular axial ethers with a > 30-fold enhancement of the reaction rates with respect to the endo-isomer.     

Efficient chemical synthesis of methyl beta-glycosides of beta-(1----6)-linked D-galacto-oligosaccharides by a stepwise and a blockwise approach

Bromoacetylation of methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (1) followed by cleavage of the methoxyl group from the resulting 6-O-bromoacetyl derivative 2 with 1,1-dichloromethyl methyl ether gave 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-6-O-bromoacetyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl chloride (3). Reaction of 3 with 1, promoted by silver trifluoromethanesulfonate, afforded methyl O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-6-O-bromoacetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----6) -2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (12), bearing at O-6 of its non-reducing end-group the selectively removable bromoacetyl group. This was O-debromoacetylated and the disaccharide nucleophile 15 formed was again treated with 3, to give the analogous trisaccharide 18. This sequence of reactions was repeated to afford the analogous tetrasaccharide 20, showing the feasibility of stepwise construction of the title oligosaccharides. Similar reactions of 3 with 1,2,3,4-tetra-O-benzoyl-alpha- (7) and beta-D-galactopyranose (5) gave, respectively, O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-6-O-bromoacetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----6) -1,2,3,4-tetra-O-benzoyl-alpha- (14) and beta-D-galactopyranose (13). These could be separately converted into the same glycosyl halide, namely, alpha-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-6-O-bromoacetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1-- --6)-2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl chloride (16), by cleavage with 1,1-dichloromethyl methyl ether. The chloride 16 was treated with tri- and tetra-saccharide nucleophiles analogous to 15 to give, respectively, the corresponding pentasaccharide 23 and the hexasaccharide 25, demonstrating the possibility of the blockwise construction of higher beta-(1----6)-linked D-galacto-oligosaccharides. The disaccharide 12 was also obtained by the reaction of 1,2,3,4-tetra-O-benzoyl-6-O-bromoacetyl-beta-D-galactopryanose (6) with 1 in the presence of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethane-sulfonate. Similarly, the trisaccharide 18 and the tetrasaccharide 20 were obtained by the treatment of 13, respectively, with 1 and 15, showing that, as with their 1-O-acetyl counterparts, beta-1-benzoates of saccharides bearing at O-2 a group capable of neighboring-group participation can act under these conditions as glycosyl donors. Crystalline methyl beta-glycosides of (1----6)-beta-D-galacto-tetraose (22), -pentaose (24) and -hexaose (27) have been obtained for the first time, by deacylation (Zemplén) of their fully protected precursors.     

Synthesis and hydrogenolysis of the methylene,ethylidene, isopropylidene,and diastereoisomeric 1-phenylethylidene acetals of β-l-arabino- and α-l-rhamnopyranoside derivatives

Both diastereoisomers of 1-phenylethylidene acetals (acetophenone acetals) of methyl and benzyl β-l-arabinopyranoside and α-l-rhamnopyranoside were prepared. Acetal-exchange reactions gave only the endo-phenyl isomers; their 2-O- and 4-O-acetyl derivatives were isomerised into the exo-phenyl compounds. ¹H-N.m.r. data were used to determine the absolute configuration at the acetal carbon atom in these compounds. The protons of the methyl group of the exo-phenyl isomers resonate at lower field than those of the endo-phenyl isomers. Hydrogenolysis of various methylene, ethylidene, and isopropylidene derivatives gave axial ethers. The endo-phenyl isomers of the acetophenone derivatives also gave axial 1-phenylethyl ethers in two diastereoisomeric forms. The exo-phenyl isomers of the arabinosides were stable towards the reagent (LiAlH₄AlCl₃), whereas the corresponding rhamnopyranosides gave the 2-(1-phenylethyl) ethers, but cleavage required prolonged reaction time and higher temperature.     

Synthesis of the methyl thioglycosides of deoxy-N-acetyl-neuraminic acids for use as glycosyl donors

Methyl 2-thioglycoside derivatives of 4-, 7-, 8-, and 9-deoxy-N-acetylneuraminic acids have been prepared as glycosyl donors for the synthesis of sialoglycoconjates. Reduction of a (phenoxy)thiocarbonyl group, selectively introduced at the 4 position of methyl [2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-8,9-O-isopropylidene-d-glycero- α-d-galacto-2-nonulopyranosid]onate (1), gave the 4-deoxy compound, which was transformed via O-deisopropylidenation, acetylation, selective removal of the 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl group, subsequent acetylation, and displacement of the 2-acetoxy group by a methylthio group, into methyl (methyl 5-acetamido-7,8,9-tri-O-acetyl-3,4,5-trideoxy-2-thio-d-manno-2-nonulopyranosid)onate (17). Methyl [2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 5-acetamido-8,9-di-O-acetyl-4-O-benzoyl-3,5,7-trideoxy-α-d-galacto-2- nonulopyranosid]onate, prepared from 1 in five steps, and methyl [2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 5-acetamido-4,7,9-tri-O-acetyl-3,5,8-trideoxy-α-d-galacto-2-nonulopyranosid]onate, prepared from 1 in six steps, were converted via selective removal of the 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl group, O-acetylation, and displacement of the 2-acetoxy group by a methylthio group as described for 17, into the corresponding methyl 7- and 8-deoxy-2-thioglycosides. Reductive dechlorination of methyl [2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 5-acetamido-4,7-di-O-benzoyl-9-chloro-3,5,9-trideoxy-d-glycero-α-d-galacto-2-nonulopyranosid]onate, prepared from methyl [2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-d-glycero-α-d-galacto-2-nonulopyranosid]onate by selective 9-O-tert-butyldimethylsilylation, benzoylation, removal of the 9-silyl group, and selective chlorination, gave a 9-deoxy compound. This was transformed, via O-debenzoylation, O-acetylation, selective removal of the 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl group, 2-O-acetylation, 2-chlorination, displacement with potassium thioacetate, selective S-deacetylation, and S-methylation, into the methyl 2-thio-α-glycoside of 9-deoxy-N-acetylneuraminic acid.     

CYP 17 and CYP 19 inhibitors. Evaluation of fluorine effects on the inhibiting activity of regioselectively fluorinated 1-(Naphthalen-2-ylmethyl)imidazoles

Regioselectively fluorinated 1-(naphth-2-ylmethyl)imidazoles 1a-h have been synthesized starting from the corresponding (naphth-2-yl)methanols (2). 2a-d have been obtained by LiAlH4-promoted reduction of fluorinated 1-methyl-2-naphthaldehydes. The latter were easily prepared in fairly good overall yields by ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN)-promoted oxidative addition of the suitable 3-(fluoroaryl)-1-trimethylsilyloxy-1-butenes to ethyl vinyl ether in methanol followed by cyclization of the resulting acetals in strongly acidic medium in the presence of DDQ. 2e-h were prepared by LiAlH4-promoted reduction of the corresponding fluorinated methyl 2-naphthoates. The latter were more profitably obtained by reacting the suitable benzyl bromide with the sodium salt of dimethyl 2-(2,2-dimethoxyethyl)malonate in DMF followed by demethoxycarbonylation and acid catalysed cyclization of the resulting acetals. Compared with the nonfluorinated parent compounds 1i-1, fluorinated 1-(naphth-2-yl)methylimidazoles 1a-h turned out to be potent inhibitors of CYP17 and CYP19 enzymes. The most active inhibitor of CYP17 is 1c, whereas CYP19 is strongly inhibited by 1b, 1e, and 1g. Interestingly, 1g is a potent dual inhibitor also being very active towards CYP19.     

Synthesis of the cyclic and acyclic acetal derivatives of 1-(3-C-ethynyl-beta-D-ribo-pentofuranosyl)cytosine,a potent antitumor nucleoside. Design of prodrugs to be selectively activated in tumor tissues via the bio-reduction-hydrolysis mechanism

We have designed and synthesized the acetal derivatives of 1-(3-C-ethynyl-beta-D-ribo-pentofuranosyl)cytosine (ECyd, 1), the 2',3'-O-nitrobenzylidene derivatives 2 and 3 and the 5'-O-(alkoxy)(nitrophenyl)methyl derivatives 6-10 as potential prodrugs of ECyd. These prodrugs can be selectively activated in tumor tissues via a bio-reduction-hydrolysis mechanism owing to the characteristic properties of tumor tissues, such as hypoxia and lower pH. Although the 2',3'-O-(4-nitrobenzylidene) derivatives 2 and 3 were converted bio-reductively into the corresponding 4-aminobenzylidene derivatives by rat S-9 mix, the reduction products, that is, the corresponding amino congeners 4 and 5, proved to be rather stable in an aqueous solution at pH 6.5 used as a pH model for acidic tumor tissues. In contrast, the 5'-O-(alkoxy)(4-nitropheny)methyl derivatives 6-8 were also reduced by rat S-9 mix to the corresponding amino congeners 11-13, which were hydrolyzed to release ECyd more effectively at pH 6.5 than at pH 7.4. Accordingly, the acyclic acetals 6-8 may be efficient prodrugs of ECyd, that are effectively reduced under physiological conditions releasing ECyd in acidic tumor tissues.     

Synthesis of 2,5-anhydro-(beta-d-glucopyranosyluronate)- and (alpha-l-idopyranosyluronate)-d-mannitol hexa-O-sulfonate hepta sodium salt

Glycosidation of 2,5-anhydro-1,6-di-O-benzoyl-D-mannitol with methyl(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-d-glucopyranosyl-1-O-trichloroacetimidate)uronate in the presence of trimethylsilyl triflate afforded the corresponding 3-O-beta-glycoside, which after deprotection was converted into its hexa-O-sulfate with DMF x SO3 to give after treatment with sodium acetate and subsequent saponification of the methyl ester with sodium hydroxide the hepta sodium salt of 2,5-anhydro-3-O-(beta-d-glucopyranosyl uronate)-D-mannitol hexa-O-sulfate. Glycosidation of the same acceptor with the alpha-thiophenylglycoside of methyl 2,4-di-O-acetyl-3-O-benzyl-L-idopyranosyl uronate in the presence of NIS/TfOH afforded the corresponding 3-O-alpha-glycoside in very low yield, therefore the alpha-thiophenylglycoside of 2-O-acetyl-2,4-O-benzylidene-3-O-benzyl-L-idopyranose was used as donor. The terminal hydroxymethyl group of the obtained disaccharide was subsequently oxidised with NaOCl/TEMPO and the obtained iduronic acid derivative was converted into the hepta sodium salt of 2,5-anhydro-3-O-(-alpha-L-idopyranosyluronate)-D-mannitol hexa-O-sulfonate with DMF x SO3 and subsequent treatment with sodium acetate.     

Synthesis of (S)-2-fluoro-L-daunosamine and (S)-2-fluoro-D-ristosamine

Derivatives of (S)-2-fluoro-L-daunosamine and (S)-2-fluoro-D-ristosamine were synthesized, starting ultimately from 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose which was converted, according to the literature, into methyl 2-benzamido-4, 6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-3-O-(methylsulfonyl)-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (2). Treatment of 2 with tetrabutylammonium fluoride gave a 63% yield of (known) methyl 3-benzamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2,3-dideoxy-2-fluoro-alpha-D-altropyran oside (4), together with a 6% yield of its 2-benzamido-2,3-dideoxy-3-fluoro-alpha-D-gluco isomer. From 4, the corresponding 6-bromo-2,3,6-trideoxyglycoside 4-benzoate (6) was obtained by Hanessian-Hullar reaction. Dehydrobromination of 6, followed by catalytic hydrogenation of the resulting 5-enoside, and subsequent debenzoylation and N-trifluoroacetylation, afforded the fluorodaunosaminide, methyl 2,3,6-trideoxy-2-fluoro-3-trifluoroacetamido-beta-L-galactopyranos ide. Reductive debromination of 6, followed by debenzoylation and N-trifluoroacetylation, gave the fluororistosaminide, methyl 2,3,6-trideoxy-2-fluoro-3-trifluoroacetamido-alpha-D-altropyran oside. The 1H-n.m.r. spectra of the new aminofluoro sugars are discussed with respect to the effects of neighboring amino and acylamido substituents on geminal and vicinal 1H-19F coupling constants, in comparison with the reported effects of oxygen substituents.     

A convenient synthesis of 6-amino-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-one and related 4,6-disubstituted pyrazolopyrimidine nucleosides

The glycosylation of 4,6-dichloropyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine and 4-chloro-6-methylthiopyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine via the corresponding trimethylsilyl intermediate and tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-ribofuranose in the presence of trimethylsilyl triflate as a catalyst, gave selective glycosylation at N1 as the only nucleoside product. The intermediates 4,6-dichloro-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazolo [3,4-d]pyrimidine 7 and 4-chloro-6-methylthio-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazolo [3,4-d]pyrimidine 13 gave new and convenient synthetic routes to the inosine analog 1, the guanosine analog 2, the adenosine analog 3, and the isoguanosine analog 16. Glycosylation of the trimethylsilyl derivative of 6-chloropyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-4-one unexpectedly gave the N2-glycosyl isomer 20 as the major product. A number of new 4,6-disubstituted pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine nucleosides were prepared from these glycosyl intermediates.     

Model studies on the analysis of pyruvic acid acetal-containing polysaccharides by the reductive-cleavage method

The 4,6-O-(1-methoxycarbonylethylidene), -(hydroxyisopropylidene), and -(methoxyisopropylidene) acetals of methyl 2,3-di-O-methyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside were subjected to reductive cleavage in the presence of triethylsilane and trimethylsilyl methanesulfonate-boron trifluoride etherate (Me3SiOMs-BF3.Et2O), BF3.Et2O, or trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (Me3SiOSO2CF3) and the mole fractions of products were determined as a function of reaction time. The 4,6-(1-methoxycarbonylethylidene) acetal was quite stable to reductive-cleavage conditions but isomerization of the initial R,S mixture of diastereomers to the more-stable S diastereoisomer was noted. In addition, a slow, regiospecific, reductive ring-opening of the acetal was observed to give 6-O-[1-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl] derivatives. The 4,6-(hydroxyisopropylidene) acetal was very unstable under reductive-cleavage conditions. Both Me3SiOMs-BF3.Et2O and Me3SiOSO2CF3 catalyzed complete removal of the group, via the intermediate 6-[1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl] ether, but BF3.Et2O gave a mixture of products. The 4,6-(methoxyisopropylidene) acetal was also very labile under reductive-cleavage conditions; Me3SiOMs-BF3.Et2O catalyzed complete removal of the acetal, via the intermediate 6-[1-(methoxymethyl)ethyl]ether, but the intermediate ether was quite stable in the presence of either BF3.Et2O or Me3SiOSO2CF3. It is concluded from these studies that polysaccharides bearing 4,6-O-(1-carboxyethylidene) substituents can be analyzed directly by sequential permethylation and reductive cleavage. It is proposed that the identity of the substituted monomer and the positions of substitution of the acetal can be determined by sequential permethylation, ester reduction, and reductive cleavage.     

Synthesis and antimetabolite properties of 5-substituted 2'-deoxyuridines. Anomeric 5-(2-aminohexafluoroprop-2-yl)- and 5-(2-trifluoroacetylaminohexafluoroprop-2-yl)-2'-deoxyuridine

Alkylation of 2,4-bis-O-(trimethylsilyl)uracil with hexafluoroacetone trifluoroacetylimine gave 5-(2-trifluoroacelylaminohexafluoroprop-2-yl)uracil, which was transformed by alkaline hydrolysis to 5-(2-aminohexafluoroprop-2-yl)uracil. The latter was glycosytated with 2-deoxy-3,5-di-O-p-toluoyl-alpha-D-ribofyranosyl chloride by means of various modifications of the silyl method leading to the predominant formation of beta-deoxynucleoside; after deacylation 1-(2-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-5-(2-aminohexafluoroprop-2-yl)ura cil was obtained. Interaction of silylated 5-(2-trifluoroacetylaminohexafluoroprop-2-yl)uracil with acylgalogenose gave anomeric O-substitutet deoxynucleosides, which were deblocked to give 5-(2-trifluoroacetylaminohexafluoroprop-2-yl)-2'-deoxyuridine and corresponding alpha-anomer. Alkaline hydrolysis of N-trifluoroacetyl group in both individual anomers produced 1-(2-deoxy-alpha-D-ribofuranosyl)-5-(2-aminohexafluoroprop-2-yl)ur acil and the abovementioned beta-anomer. Of all compounds synthesised only 1-(2-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-5-(2-aminohexafluoroprop-2-yl)ura cil has a moderate inhibitory effect on replication of vaccinia virus in vitro.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of 1-(D-glycosyloxy)phthalazines

Coupling of the trimethylsilyl derivative of (2H)phthalazin-1-one with 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranose and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-acetyl-alpha-D-galactopyranose in the presence of stannic chloride gave the respective glycosides, 2-(per-O-acetyl-D-glycosyloxy)phthalazines, which upon deacetylation gave the respective unprotected analogues. Under the same conditions 1,2,3,5-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-ribofuranose gave 1-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-ribofuranosyloxy)phthalazine. Electrospray mass spectrometry aided the structural characterization of this series of 1-(D-glycosylyloxy)phthalazines. Low energy collisionally-induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry of the protonated molecules confirmed the MS fragmentation routes and the structural identities of this novel series of glycosides.     

Synthesis of the pentasaccharide related to the repeating unit of the antigen from Shigella dysenteriae type 4 in the form of its methyl ester 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl glycoside

Starting from D-mannose, D-glucose and L-fucose, the pentasaccharide derivative methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-alpha-L-fucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-2-O-acetyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1-->3)-2-O-acetyl-6-O-benzyl-4-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-alpha-L-fucopyranosyl)-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-beta-D-glucopyranosid]uronate was synthesized. This compound with two alpha-mannopyranosyl units was transformed, via Walden inversion and subsequent deprotection, into the alpha-D-glucosamine-type target compound, namely methyl alpha-L-fucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-(alpha-L-fucopyranosyl)-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl beta-D-glucopyranosid]uronate which is related to the repeating unit of the O-antigen from Shigella dysenteriae type 4.     

Synthesis of a series of ganglioside GM3 analogs containing a deoxy-N-acetylneuraminic acid residue.

Ganglioside GM₃ analogs containing 4-, 7-, 8-, and 9-deoxy-N-acetylneuraminic acids in the place of N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) have been synthesized. Glycosylation of 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl O-(6-O-benzoyl-β- - galactopyranosyl)-(1 → 4)-2,6-di-O-benzoyl-β- -glucopyranoside with the methyl 2-thioglycoside derivatives of the respective deoxy-N-acetylneuraminic acids, using dimethyl(methylthio)sulfonium triflate as a promoter, gave the four required 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl -sialosyl-(2 → 3b)-β-lactosides. These were converted via O-acetylation, selective removal of the 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl group, and subsequent imidate formation, into the corresponding -sialosyl-(2 → 3b)--lactose trichloroacetimidates 15, 17, 19, and 21. Glycosylation of (2S,3R,4E)-2-azido-3-O-benzoyl-4-octadecene-1,3-diol with 15, 17, 19, and 21 in the presence of boron trifluoride etherate afforded the expected β glycosides, which were transformed in good yields, via selective reduction of the azido group, coupling with octadecanoic acid, O-deacylation, and de-esterification, into the target compounds.     

Methanolysis of D-galacturonic acid: dimethyl acetals

Dimethyl acetals of D-galacturono-6,3-lactone and methyl D-galacturonate have been detected during methanolysis of D-galacturonic acid. The products of methanolysis were studied by ion-exchange chromatography and by g.l.c. of the trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives. Structural determinations were made from the mass spectra of the TMS derivatives. The course of methanolysis was monitored by g.l.c.     

Preparation and N.M.R. studies of pyruvic acid and related acetals of pyranosides: configuration at the acetal carbon atoms

Stereoisomeric pairs of pyruvic acid and related acetals linked to the 3,4- and 4,6-positions, respectively, of the anomeric methyl d-galactopyranosides and the corresponding acetals linked to the 4,6-positions of the anomeric methyl d-glucopyranosides have been prepared by conventional methods, and their structures have been assigned. Their ¹H- and ¹³C-n.m.r. spectra have been recorded. The differences in chemical shifts obtained for stereoisomeric pairs of acetalic CH₃ groups are of sufficient magnitude to make possible the unequivocal determination of the stereo-chemistry of pyruvic acid acetals in naturally occurring polysaccharides.     

Synthesis of Neu5Ac(alpha2-->6)[Gal(alpha1-->3)]GalNAcalpha and Neu5Ac(alpha2-->6)[Gal(beta1-->3)]GalNAcalpha trisaccharides as protected trifluoroacetamidopropyl glycosides

Protected sialo-containing trisaccharides, fragments of oligosaccharide chains of mucin glycoproteins, were synthesized. Regioselective sialylation of the primary hydroxyl group of (3-fluoroacetamidopropyl)-2-azido-2-deoxy-3-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-ben zyl)-alpha -D-galactopyranosyl)-alpha-D-galactopyranoside with methyl ester of peracetyl-beta-ethylthioglycoside of N-acetylneuraminic acid in the presence of N-iodosuccinimide and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (or its trimethylsilyl ester) yielded 39 and 25% of alpha- and beta-sialyl-(2-->6)biosides, respectively. Catalytic hydrogenolysis of the azide and benzyl groups of the alpha-anomer followed by N- and O-acetylation gave target trifluoroacetamidopropyl glycoside, Neu5Ac(alpha 2-->6)[Gal(alpha 1-->3)]GalNAc alpha-OSp, as a peracetate. An analogous coupling of the sialyl donor with (3-fluoroacetamidopropyl)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O- (2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-alpha-D-galactopyranos ide affords acetylated trifluoroacetamidopropyl glycoside Neu5Ac(alpha 2-->6)[Gal(beta 1-->3)]GalNAc alpha-OSp in a yield of 15% and the corresponding Neu5Ac(beta 2-->6)-anomer in a yield of 12%. After O-deacetylation and N-detrifluoroacetylation, these sialylbiosides can be used as ligands in preparing neoglycoconjugates.