Synthesis of a fully protected derivative of O-(N-acetyl-alpha-D-neuraminyl)-(2----3)-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1- ---3)-O- [(N-acetyl-alpha-D-neuraminyl)-(2----6)]-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha- D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----3)-L-serine

N-(Benzyloxycarbonyl)-O-[methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-galact o-2- nonulopyranosyl)onate]-(2----3)-O-(2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D - galactopyranosyl)-(1----3)-O-[methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-galact o-2- nonulopyranosyl)onate-(2----6)]-O-(2-acetamido-4-O-acetyl-2- deoxy-alpha-D- galactopyranosyl)-(1----3)-L-serine benzyl ester was synthesized by using O-[methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5- di-deoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosyl)onate]- (2----3)-O-(2,4,6- tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----3)-O-[methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-galact o-2- nonulopyranosyl)onate-(2----6)]-4-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxy-a lpha- and -beta-D-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate as a key glycotetraosyl donor which, upon reaction with N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L-serine benzyl ester, afforded a 44% yield of a mixture of the alpha- and beta-glycosides in the ratio of 2:5.     

Synthesis of a mucin-type O-glycosylated amino acid, beta-Gal-(1----3)-[alpha-Neu5Ac-(2----6)]-alpha-GalNAc-(1----3)- Ser

Total synthesis of O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1----3)-O-[(5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy- D-glycero-alpha-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosylonic acid)-(2----6)]-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----3 )-L- serine was achieved by use of the key glycosyl donor O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----3)-O- [methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-galact o-2- nonulopyranosyl)onate-(2----6)]-4-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxy-a lpha-D- galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate and the key glycosyl acceptor N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L- serine benzyl ester in a regiocontrolled way.     

Synthesis of an octasaccharide fragment of high-mannose-type glycans of glycoproteins.

O-(alpha-D-Mannopyranosyl)-(1----2)-O-(alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-(1----3)- O- [(alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-(1----2)-O-(alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-(1----6)]- O- (alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-(1----6)-O-(beta-D-mannopyranosyl)-(1----4)-O-( 2- acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy- glucopyranose, an octasaccharide fragment of high-mannose type glycan of glycoproteins, was synthesized. Crucial glycosylation of trisaccharide intermediate, benzyl O-(2,4-di-O-benzyl-beta-D-mannopyranosyl)-(1----4)-O-(2-acetamido-3,6-di -O- benzyl-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----4)-2-acetamido-3,6-di-O-benz yl-2- deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranoside, was successful only with a di-O-acetyltetradeca-O-benzyl-D-mannopentaosyl chloride. The use of the corresponding hexadeca-O-acetyl-D-mannopentaosyl bromide did not give the desired product.     

A regio- and stereo-controlled synthesis of beta-D-Glcp NAc6SO3-(1----3)-beta-D-Galp6SO3-(1----4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc 6SO3- (1----3)-D-Galp, a linear acidic glycan fragment of keratan sulfate I

A stereocontrolled synthesis of beta-D-GlcpNAc6SO3-(1----3)-beta-D-Galp6SO3-(1----4)-beta-D- GlcpNAc6SO3- (1----3)-D-Galp, was achieved by use of benzyl O-(2-acetamido-3,4 di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-6-O-p-methoxyphenyl-beta-D- glucopyranosyl)-(1----3)-O-(2,4-di-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-beta- D- galactopyranosyl-(1----4)-O-(2-acetamido-3-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-6-O-p-methox yphenyl - beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----3)-2,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-galactopyranos ide as a key intermediate, which was in turn prepared by employing two glycosyl donors, 3,4-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-6-O-p-methoxyphenyl-2-phthalimido-beta-D- glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate and O-(3,6-di-O-acetyl-2,4-di-O-benzyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----4)-3-O - benzyl-2-deoxy-6-O-p-methoxyphenyl-2-phthalimido-beta-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate, and a glycosyl acceptor, benzyl 2,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside.     

Synthesis of a branched pentasaccharide sequence of "bisected" structure of N-glycoproteins

For the synthesis of the threefold-branched pentasaccharide, O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1----3)-O-[(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D- glucopyranosyl)-(1----4)]-O-[alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1----6)]-O-beta-D- mannopyranosyl-(1----4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose (20), which is a part of the structure of the N-glycoproteins, the disaccharide 4-O-(4-O-acetyl-3,6-di-O-allyl-2-O-benzyl-beta-D-mannopyranosyl) -1,6-anhydro-2-azido-3-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranose was synthesized as a key compound by use of the silver silicate-catalyst procedure. After elimination of the 4-O-acetyl group, a 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl group was attached according to the phthalimido method. Further elimination of the allyl groups allowed the linkage of two alpha-D-mannopyranosyl groups in the presence of mercury salt. A deblocking sequence consisting of four steps gave 20.     

Synthesis of modified tetrasaccharide sequences of N-glycoproteins

The tetrasaccharides O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1----3)-O-[alpha-D- mannopyranosyl-(1----6)]-O-(4-deoxy-beta-D-lyxo-hexopyranosyl)-(1- ---4)-2- acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha, beta-D-glycopyranose (22) and O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1----3)-O-[alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1----6)]-O- beta-D-talopyranosyl-(1----4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha, beta-D- glucopyranose (37), closely related to the tetrasaccharide core structure of N-glycoproteins, were synthesized. Starting with 1,6-anhydro-2,3-di-O-isopropylidene-beta-D-mannopyranose, the glycosyl donors 3,6-di-O-acetyl-2-O-benzyl-2,4-dideoxy-alpha-D-lyxo- hexopyranosyl bromide (10) and 3,6-di-O-acetyl-2,4-di-O-benzyl-alpha-D-talopyranosyl bromide (30), were obtained in good yield. Coupling of 10 or 30 with 1,6-anhydro-2-azido-3-O-benzyl-beta-D-glucopyranose to give, respectively, the disaccharides 1,6-anhydro-2-azido-3-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-4-O-(3,6-di-O-acetyl-2-O-benzyl-4 -deoxy- beta-D-lyxo-hexopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranose and 1,6-anhydro-2-azido-3-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-4-O-(3,6-di-O-acetyl-2,4-di-O-ben zyl- beta-D-talopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranose was achieved with good selectivity by catalysis with silver silicate. Simultaneous glycosylation of OH-3' and OH-6' of the respective disaccharides with 2-O-acetyl-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl chloride yielded tetrasaccharide derivatives, which were deblocked into the desired tetrasaccharides 22 and 37.     

Total synthesis of 3-O-[2-acetamido-6-O-(N-acetyl-alpha-D-neuraminyl-2-deoxy- alpha-D-galactosyl]-L-serine and a stereoisomer

O-(5-Acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-galacto-2- nonulopyranoxylonic acid)-(2----6)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----3) -L-serine, a structural unit occurring in various submaxillary mucins, was synthesized for the first time by using O-[methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D- galacto-2-nonulopyranosyl)onate]-(2----6)-3,4-di-O-acetyl-2- azido-2-deoxy-D- galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (13) and N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L-serine benzyl ester as the key intermediates. The trichloroacetimidate 13 was prepared by starting from two monosaccharide synthons, namely, allyl 2-azido-2-deoxy-beta-D-galactopyranoside and methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-beta-D- galacto-2-nonulopyranosyl chloride)onate, which were coupled in the presence of silver triflate in tetrahydrofuran to give the desired alpha-(2----6)-linked disaccharide in moderate selectivity.     

Synthesis of a dimeric Lewis X hexasaccharide derivative corresponding to a tumor-associated glycolipid

The dimeric Lewis X hexasaccharide p-trifluoroacetamidophenylethyl O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1----4)-O-[alpha-L-fucopyranosyl-(1----3)]-O- (2- acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----3)-O-beta-D-galactopyrano syl- (1----4)-O-[alpha-L-fucopyranosyl-(1----3)]-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D- glucopyranoside (14), which is a derivative of a tumor-associated glycolipid, was synthesized from thioglycoside intermediates. A protected disaccharide was used as a key-intermediate for synthesis of the p-nitrophenylethyl glycoside of suitably protected O-beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-O-beta-D-GlcpN-(1----3)-O-beta-D-Galp-(1--- -4)-beta-D- GlcpN, which, after selective deblocking, was di-L-fucosylated and deprotected to give 14.     

Synthesis of a tetrasaccharide unit of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 9V

In the synthesis of 8-methoxycarbonyloctyl O-(alpha-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----3)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D- mannopyranosyl)-(1----4)-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----4)-alpha-D- glucopyranoside, which represents a component of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 9V, the key step was the coupling of alpha-D-Galp-(1----3)-beta-D-ManpNAc-(1----4)-D-Glc as glycosyl donor with 8-ethoxy-carbonyloctyl 6-O-acetyl-2,3-di-O-benzyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside as glycosyl acceptor by use of the imidate method. Only the beta-imidate of the trisaccharide could be employed in this glycosidation reaction to give stereoselectively the tetrasaccharide in high yield. The alpha-imidate of the trisaccharide led to hydrolysis of the imidate group.     

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.     

Synthesis of some D-mannosyl-oligosaccharides containing the methyl and 4-nitrophenyl beta-D-mannopyranoside units

Methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-mannopyranoside (2), methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-beta-D-mannopyranoside (11), and 4-nitrophenyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-beta-D-mannopyranoside (12) were each condensed with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl bromide (1) in the presence of mercuric cyanide, to give after deprotection, methyl 2-(5) and 6-O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-beta-D-mannopyranoside (15), and 4-nitrophenyl 6-O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-beta-D-mannopyranoside (20), respectively. A similar condensation of 11 with 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-a lpha-D- mannopyranosyl bromide (21) and 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-6-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-a lpha D-mannopyranosyl bromide (25), followed by removal of protecting groups, afforded methyl O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1----2)-O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1----6)-beta -D- mannopyranoside (24) and methyl O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1----6)-O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1----6)-beta -D- mannopyranoside (28), respectively. Bromide 25 was also condensed with 12 to give a trisaccharide derivative which was deprotected to furnish 4-nitrophenyl O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1----6)-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1----6)-beta-D - mannopyranoside (31). Phosphorylation of methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-2-O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-beta-D-mannopyranoside and 15 with diphenyl phosphorochloridate in pyridine gave the 6'-phosphates 6 and 16, respectively. Hydrogenolysis of the benzyl and phenyl groups provided methyl 2-O-(disodium alpha-D-mannopyranosyl 6-phosphate)-beta-D-mannopyranoside (7) and methyl 6-O-(disodium alpha-D-mannopyranosyl 6-phosphate)-beta-D-mannopyranoside (17) after treatment with Amberlite IR-120 (Na+) cation-exchange resin. The structures of compounds 5, 7, 15, 17, 20, 24, 28, and 31 were established by 13C-n.m.r. spectroscopy.     

Artificial carbohydrate antigens: a block synthesis of a linear, tetrasaccharide repeating-unit of the Shigella flexneri variant Y polysaccharide

Glycosylation of methyl 2,4-di-O-benzoyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside with 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl bromide gave methyl 2,4-di-O-benzoyl-3-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl) -alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (4) in 93% yield. Conversion of 4 into the corresponding glycosyl bromide was accomplished with dibromomethyl methyl ether. Under Koenigs-Knorr conditions, this bromide reacted with 8-(methoxycarbonyl)octyl 2-O-(2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-beta-D-glycopyranosyl)- 3,4-di-O- benzyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, to provide the protected tetrasaccharide in 91% yield. Removal of blocking groups gave 8-(methoxycarbonyl)octyl O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1---- 3)-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1---- 3)-O-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----2)-alpha-L- rhamnopyranoside. Together with previously synthesized tetrasaccharides of the Shigella flexneri Y O-antigen, this oligosaccharide has been used to study the conformation of O-antigens and to assist in the selection of S. flexneri, variant Y, specific monoclonal antibodies.     

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).     

Synthesis of cerebroside, lactosyl ceramide, and ganglioside GM3 analogs containing beta-thioglycosidically linked ceramide

Coupling of the sodium salt of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranose, -beta-D-galactopyranose, O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----4)-2,3,6-tri-O- acetyl- 1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranose, or O-(methyl 5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-galacto -2- nonulopyranosylonate)-(2----3)-O-(2,3-di-O-acetyl-6-O-bezoyl -beta-D- galactopyranosyl)-(1----4)-3-O-acetyl-2,6-di-O-benzoyl-1-thio-beta-D- glucopyranose, which were prepared from the corresponding 1-S-acetates, 1, 3, 6, and 9, with (2S,3R,4E)-2-azido-3-O-benzoyl-1-O-(p-tolylsulfonyl)-4-oc tadecene-1,3-diol (12) derived by tosylation of 11, gave the corresponding beta-thioglycosides 13, 17, 21, and 25, respectively in good yield. The beta-thioglycosides obtained were converted, via selective reduction of the azide group, condensation with octadecanoic acid, and removal of the protecting groups, into the title compounds.     

An efficient synthesis of ganglioside GM3: highly stereocontrolled glycosylations by use of auxiliaries

An efficiently stereocontrolled total synthesis of GM3 alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2----3)-beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-beta-D-Glcp-(1----1) -Cer was achieved by employing both methyl 5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-benzyl-2-bromo-2,3,5-trideoxy-3- phenylthio-D-erythro-beta-L-gluco-2-nonulopyranosonate for the key sialylation step, and O-[methyl(5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha -D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosyl)onate]-(2----3)-O-(2,4,6-tri-O- acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1----4)-3,6-di-O-acetyl-2-O-pivaloyl- alpha-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate and fluoride for the key coupling step with a ceramide derivative. These two steps were significantly altered and improved in comparison with our previous synthesis that had been executed without use of stereocontrolling auxiliaries. GM3 was obtained in 4.5% overall yield in 19 steps starting from allyl O-(2,6-di-O-acetyl-3,4-O-isopropylidene-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----4 )-2,3,6-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside.     

Synthesis of methyl glycoside derivatives of tri- and penta-saccharides related to the antithrombin III-binding sequence of heparin, employing cellobiose as a key starting-material

Two key synthons for the title pentasaccharide derivative, methyl O-(methyl 2-O-benzoyl-3-O-benzyl-alpha-L-idopyranosyluronate)-(1----4)-6-O-acetyl- 2-azido - 3-O- benzyl-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranoside and O-(methyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-4-O- chloroacetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyluronate)-(1----4)-3,6-di-O-acetyl-2-az ido-2- deoxy-alpha-D- glucopyranosyl bromide, were prepared from a common starting material, cellobiose. They were coupled to give a tetrasaccharide derivative that underwent O-dechloroacetylation to the corresponding glycosyl acceptor. Its condensation with the known 6-O-acetyl-2-azido-3,4-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl bromide afforded a 77% yield of suitably protected pentasaccharide, methyl O-(6-O- acetyl-2-azido-3,4-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----4)- O- (methyl 2,3- di-O-benzyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyluronate)-(1----4)-O-(3,6-di-O-acetyl-2- azido-2 - deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----4)-O-(methyl 2-O-benzoyl-3-O-benzyl-alpha-L- idopyranosyluronate)- (1----4)-6-O-acetyl-2-azido-3-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranoside. Sequential deprotection and sulfation gave the decasodium salt of methyl O-(2- deoxy-2-sulfamido-6-O-sulfo-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----4)-O-(be ta-D- glucopyranosyl-uronic acid)-(1----4)-O-(2-deoxy-2-sulfamido-3,6-di-O-sulfo-alpha-D-gluco pyranosyl)- (1----4)-O-(2-O-sulfo-alpha-L-idopyranosyluronic acid)-(1----4)-2-deoxy-2- sulfamido-6-O- sulfo-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3). In a similar way, the trisaccharide derivative, the hexasodium salt of methyl O-(2-deoxy-2-sulfamido-6-O-sulfo-alpha-D- glucopyranosyl)- (1----4)-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid)-(1----4)-2-deoxy-2-sulfamido-3,6- di-O- sulfo-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (4) was synthesized from methyl O-(6-O-acetyl-2- azido- 3,4-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----4)-O-(methyl 2,3-di-O- benzyl-beta- D-glucopyranosyluronate)-3,6-di-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxy-alpha-D- glucopyranoside. The pentasaccharide 3 binds strongly to antithrombin III with an association constant almost equivalent to that of high-affinity heparin, but the trisaccharide 4 appears not to bind.     

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.     

Use of benzyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(2-O-methyl-beta-D-galactosyl)-beta- D-glucopyranoside [2'-O-methyllacto-N-biose I beta Bn] as a specific acceptor for GDP-fucose: N-acetylglucosaminide alpha(1----4)-L-fucosyltransferase

A synthetic substrate, benzyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(2-O-methyl-beta-D- galactopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, was demonstrated to be a specific acceptor for the Lewis blood group-specified alpha(1----4)-L-fucosyltransferase from human saliva and stomach mucosa. The fucosyl linkage of the product resulting from the use of this substrate isolated by paper chromatography was characterized by hydrolysis with specific alpha(1----3)/(1----4)-L- fucosidase. The product can be separated by adsorption onto the reverse-phase cartridge and recovered by one-step elution with methanol. The enzymatic properties of alpha(1----4)-L-fucosyltransferase from saliva and stomach mucosa have also been examined using this substrate.     

Purification, characterization and immunological properties of the serotype-specific capsular polysaccharide of Pasteurella haemolytica (serotype A1) organisms

The serotype-specific capsular polysaccharide from two strains of Pasteurella haemolytica serotype A1 organisms was purified and characterized by chemical analysis and NMR spectroscopy. The polymer has the structure----3)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-acetyl-beta-D-mannopyranos yluronic acid)-(1----4)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-mannopyranose)-(1----. The polysaccharide was immunogenic (able to evoke production of antibodies) for sheep but not for rabbits. Immuno electron-microscopy studies using the Protein A-gold technique showed the polysaccharide to be peripherally located on the bacterial surface. Reduction, oxidation and de-O-acetylation of the polymer did not appear to alter its immunological precipitability with specific antiserum, but all three treatments destroyed its ability to adhere to sheep erythrocytes at neutral pH. De-N-acetylation of the polymer destroyed both immunological precipitability and erythrocyte adherence.     

Total synthesis of the mollu-series glycosyl ceramides alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-beta-D-Manp-(1----4)-beta-D-Glcp-(1----1)-Cer and alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-[beta-D-Xylp-(1----2)]-beta-D-Manp-(1----4)-beta- D-Glcp-(1----1)-Cer

The mollu-series glycosphingolipids, O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1----3)-O-beta-D-mannopyranosyl-(1----4)-O-bet a-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----1)-2-N-tetracosanoyl-(4E)-sphingeni ne and O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1----3)-O-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1----2])-O- beta-D-mannopyranosyl-(1----4)-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----1)-2-N- tetracosanoyl-(4E)-sphingenine, were synthesized for the first time by using 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-D-xylopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate, methyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-1-thio-alpha-D-mannopyranoside, benzyl O-(4,6-di-O-benzyl-beta-D-mannopyranosyl)-(1----4)-2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-be ta-D- glucopyranoside 9, and (2S,3R,4E)-2-azido-3-O-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyl)-4-octade cene-1,3-diol 6 as the key intermediates. The hexa-O-benzyl disaccharide 9 was prepared by coupling two monosaccharide synthons, namely, 2,3-di-O-allyl-4,6-di-O-benzyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl bromide and benzyl 2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside. It was demonstrated that azide 6 was highly efficient as a synthon for the ceramide part in the coupling with both glycotriaosyl and glycotetraosyl donors, particularly in the presence of trimethylsilyl triflate.