The synthesis of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-6-O-β-d-mannopyranosyl-d-glucose

4,6-Di-O-acetyl-2,3-O-carbonyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl bromide was condensed with benzyl 2-acetamido-3,4-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranoside in the presence of silver carbonate to give crystalline benzyl 2-acetamido-3,4-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-6-O-(4,6-di-O-acetyl-2,3-O-carbonyl-β-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-glucopyranoside in 32% yield. Removal of the protective O-acetyl and cyclic carbonate groups gave the crystalline benzyl α-glycoside of the disaccharide, which was catalytically hydrogenolyzed to yield the crystalline, title compound. Proof of the anomeric configuration of the interglycosidic linkage was obtained by comparison of the physical, spectral, and chromatographic properties of the disaccharide and its derivatives with those of the previously prepared α-d-linked analog.     

Synthesis of 2-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-D-mannose,and its interaction with D-mannose-specific lectins

Condensation of 3,4:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-D-mannose dimethyl acetal with 2-methyl-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl- 1,2-dideoxy-α-D-glucopyrano)-[2′, 1′:4,5]-2-oxazoline in the presence of a catalytic amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid afforded crystalline 2-O-(2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-3,4:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-D-mannose dimethyl acetal (3) in 25% yield. Catalytic deacetylation of 3 with sodium methoxide, followed by hydrolysis with dilute sulfuric acid, gave 2-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl)-D-mannose (4). Treatment of 3 with boiling 0.5% methanolic hydrogen chloride under reflux gave methyl 2-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-α-D-mannopyranoside (5) and methyl 2-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-α-D-mannofuranoside (6). The inhibitory activities of 4, 5, and 6 against the hemagglutinating and mitogenic activities of Lens culinaris and Pisum sativum lectins and concanavalin A were assayed. From the results of these hapten inhibition studies, subtle differences of specificity between these D-mannose-specific lectins were confirmed.     

Synthesis of benzyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-β-d-fucopyranosyl-α-d-galactopyranoside and benzyl 2-acetamido-6-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-2-deoxy-3-O-β-d-fucopyranosyl-α-d-galactopyranoside

Condensation of benzyl 2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-α-d-galactopyranoside with 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-α-d-fucopyranosyl bromide in 1:1 nitromethane-benzene, in the presence of powdered mercuric cyanide, afforded benzyl 2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-3-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-β-d-fucopyranosyl)-α-d-galactopyranoside (3). Cleavage of the benzylidene group of 3 with hot, 60% aqueous acetic acid afforded diol 4, which, on deacetylation, furnished the disaccharide 5. Condensation of diol 4 with 2-methyl-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1,2-di-deoxy-α-d-glucopyrano)-[2,1-d]-2-oxazoline in 1,2-dichloroethane afforded the trisaccharide derivative (7). Deacetylation of 7 with Amberlyst A-26 (OH^?) anion-exchange resin in methanol gave the title trisaccharide (8). The structures of 5 and 8 were confirmed by ¹³C-n.m.r. spectroscopy.     

Use of 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 as a glycosyl donor: Synthesis of p-nitrophenyl 3-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-β-d-galactopyranoside

Acetolysis of methyl 3-O-(2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-α-d-galactopyranoside afforded 3-O-(2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-1,2,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-d-galactopyranose (2). Treatment of 2 in dichloromethane with hydrogen bromide in glacial acetic acid gave 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 (3). The α configuration of 3 was indicated by its high, positive, specific rotation, and supported by its ¹H-n.m.r. spectrum. Reaction of 3 with Amberlyst A-26-p-nitrophenoxide resin in 1:4 dichloromethane-2-propanol furnished p-nitrophenyl 3-O-(2-acetamido-3,4,6- tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-β-d-galactopyranoside (7). Compound 7 was also obtained by the condensation (catalyzed by silver trifluoromethanesulfonate-2,4,6-trimethylpyridine) of 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-β-d-glucopyranosyl bromide with p-nitrophenyl 2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-β-d-galactopyranoside, followed by the usual deacylation-peracetylation procedure. O-Deacetylation of 7 in methanolic sodium methoxide furnished the title disaccharide (8). The structure of 8 was established by ¹³C-n.m.r. spectroscopy.     

The synthesis of O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1→4)-N-acetylnormuramoyl-l-α-aminobutanoyl-d-isoglutamine

Benzyl 2-acetamido-3-O-allyl-6-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-4-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-β-d-glucopyranosyl)- α-d-glucopyranoside (4) was obtained in high yield on using the silver triflate method in the absence of base. Compound 4 was converted in six steps into benzyl 2-acetamido-4-O-(2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-6-O-benzyl-3-O-(carboxymethyl)-2-deoxy-α-d- glucopyranoside, which was coupled with the benzyl ester of l-α-aminobutanoyl-d-isoglutamine and the product hydrogenolyzed to afford the title compound. O-Benzylation of benzyl 2-acetamido-4-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-3-O-allyl-6-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranoside with benzyl bromide and barium hydroxide in N,N-dimethylformamide is strongly exhanced by sonication of the reaction mixture.     

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.     

The structure and properties of the products of reaction between 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-nitroso-α-d-galactopyranosyl chloride and pyrazole

Dimeric 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-nitro-α-d-galactopyranosyl chloride reacts with pyrazole in acetonitrile to give 1-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-hydroxyimino-α-d-lyxo-, -β-d-lyxo-, and -β-d-xylo-hexopyranosyl)pyrazole. The stereospecificity of the reaction depends on the temperature and its duration. Transformations of the type α-d-lyxo-←β-d-lyxoα β-d-xylo have been observed. The condensation products were modified at C-2 or C-3. The following derivatives have thus been obtained: 1-(α-d-galacto-, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-d-galacto-, -α-d-talo-, and -α-d-xylo-hexo-pyranosyl)pyrazole, (Z)- and (E)-1-(3-azido-2,3-dideoxy-2-hydroxyimino-α- and -β-d-lyxo- and -α-d-xylo-hexopyranosyl)pyrazole, 1-(3-acetamido-2-acetoxyimino-4,6-di-O-acetyl-2,3-dideoxy-α- and -β-d-lyxo-hexopyranosyl)pyrazole, as well as (Z)- and (E)-1-(2,3-dideoxy-2-hydroxyimino-α-d-threo-hexopyranosyl)pyrazoles.     

Synthesis of phenyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-α-l-fucopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranoside and related compounds

The reaction of phenyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4,6- O-(p-methoxybenzylidene)-β-d-glucopyranoside with 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-l-fucopyranosyl bromide under halide ion-catalyzed conditions proceeded readily, to give phenyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4,6-O-(p-methoxybenzylidene)-3-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-l-fucopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (8). Mild treatment of 8 with acid, followed by hydrogenolysis, provided the disaccharide phenyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-α-l-fucopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranoside. Starting from 6-(trifluoroacetamido)hexyl 2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranoside, the synthesis of 6-(trifluoroacetamido)hexyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-β-l-fucopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranoside has been accomplished by a similar reaction-sequence. On acetolysis, methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-α-l-fucopyranosyl-α-d-glucopyranoside gave 2-methyl-[4,6-di-O-acetyl-1,2-dideoxy-3-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-α-l-fucopyranosyl)-α-d-glucopyrano]-[2, 1-d]-2-oxazoline as the major product.     

Synthesis of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-3-O-methyl-d-glucopyranose (N-acetyl-3-O-methyllactosamine) and its benzyl α-glycoside

Benzyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-methyl-α-d-glucopyranoside (3) was obtained by deacetalation of its 4,6-O-benzylidene derivative (2). Compound 2 was prepared by methylation of benzyl 2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranoside with methyl iodide-silver oxide in N,N-dimethylformamide. Diol 3 was selectively benzoylated and p-toluenesulfonylated, to give the 6-benzoic and 6-p-toluenesulfonic esters (4 and 5, respectively). Displacement of the sulfonyl group of 5 with sodium benzoxide in benzyl alcohol afforded the 6-O-benzyl derivative (6). Glycosylation of 4 with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-galactopyranosyl bromide (7) in dichloromethane, in the presence of 1,1,3,3-tetramethylurea, furnished the disaccharide derivative 8. Similar glycosylation of compound 6 with bromide 7 gave the disaccharide derivative 10. O-Deacetylation of 8 and 10 afforded disaccharides 9 and 11. The structure of compound 9 was established by ¹³C-n.m.r. spectroscopy. Hydrogenolysis of the benzyl groups of 11 furnished the disaccharide 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-3-O-methyl-d-glucopyranose (N-acetyl-3-O-methyllactosamine).     

Synthesis of methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(β-d-galactopyranosyl)-α-d-galactopyranoside from a corresponding thioglycoside derivative

The title disaccharide glycoside was synthesized by halide ion-promoted glycosidation, using methanol and the disaccharide bromide derived from methyl 2-azido-3-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzoyl--d-galactopyranosyl)-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-1-thio--d-galactopyranoside. This derivative in turn was prepared by silver triflate-promoted condensation of monosaccharide derivatives.     

The molecular and crystal structures of 4-N-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-l-asparagine trihydrate and 4-N-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-l-asparagine monohydrate. The X-ray analysis of a carbohydrate–peptide linkage

X-ray analyses have shown that the glucopyranose rings of GlcNAc-Asn [4-N-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-d-glucopyranosyl)-l-asparagine] and Glc-Asn [4-N-(beta-d-glucopyranosyl)-l-asparagine] both have the C-1 chair conformation and also that the glucose-asparagine linkage of each molecule is present in the beta-anomeric configuration. The dimensions (the estimated standard deviations of the last digit are in parentheses) of the glycosidic bond in GlcNAc-Asn and Glc-Asn are, respectively, C((1))-N((1)) 0.1441(6)nm, 0.146(2)nm; angle O((5))-C((1))-N((1)) 106.8(3) degrees , 105.7(8) degrees ; angle C((2))-C((1))-N((1)) 111.1(4) degrees , 110.4(9) degrees ; angle C((1))-N((1))-C((9)) 121.4(4) degrees , 120.5(9) degrees . The glycosidic torsion angle C((9))-N((1))-C((1))-C((2)) is 141.0 degrees and 157.6 degrees in GlcNAc-Asn and Glc-Asn respectively. Hydrogen-bonding is extensive in these two crystal structures and does affect one torsion angle in particular. Two very different values of chi(1)(N-C(alpha)-C(beta)-C(gamma)) occur for the asparagine residue of the two different molecules; the values of chi(1), -69.0 degrees in GlcNAc-Asn and 61.9 degrees in Glc-Asn, correspond to two different staggered conformations about the C(alpha)-C(beta) bond as the NH(3) (+) group is adjusted to different hydrogen-bonding patterns. The two trans-peptide groups in GlcNAc-Asn show small distortions in planarity whereas that in Glc-Asn is more non-planar. The mean plane through the atoms of the amide group at C((2)) in GlcNAc-Asn is approximately perpendicular (69 degrees ) to the mean plane through the C((2)), C((3)), C((5)) and O((5)) atoms of the glucose ring and that at C((1)) is less perpendicular (65 degrees ). The mean plane through the atoms of the amide group in Glc-Asn makes an angle of only 55 degrees with the mean plane through these same four atoms of the glucose ring. The N((1))-H bond of the amide at C((1)) is trans to the C((1))-H bond in these two compounds; the N((2))-H bond of the amide at C((2)) is trans to the C((2))-H bond in GlcNAc-Asn. The values of the observed and final calculated structure amplitudes have been deposited as Supplementary Publication SUP 50035 (26 pages) at the British Library (Lending Division), (formerly the National Lending Library for Science and Technology), Boston Spa, Yorks. LS23 7BQ, U.K., from whom copies may be obtained on the terms given in Biochem. J. (1973) 131, 5.     

Comparing the use of 2-methylenenapthyl, 4-methoxybenzyl, 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl and 2,4,6-trimethoxybenzyl as N-H protecting groups for p-tolyl 2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-1-thio-β-D-glucosides

A hurdle in glycosylation reactions of 2-acetamido glycosyl donors is the formation of a stable and unreactive oxazoline that decreases the yield of these reactions significantly. As an effort to prevent oxazoline formation during glycosylation reactions, we protected the N-H of the acetamido group within a 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-1-thio-β-D-glucoside with one of four different protecting groups. These groups were either 2-methylenenapthyl, 4-methoxybenzyl, 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl or 2,4,6-trimethoxybenzyl. The resulting N-alkylacetamides were then used in glycosylation reactions with ethanol as a model acceptor. We observed that the ethyl glycosides obtained in each case were obtained with exclusive β-selectivity without the formation of oxazoline sideproducts. The resulting products were then used to screen conditions for protecting group removal.     

A method for the synthesis of C-(2-deoxy-β-glycosyl) arenes

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(2) was converted by a Wittig reaction into a mixture of (

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(4,5). Selective deprotection of the 5,6-O-isopropylidene group in compounds 4 and 5 followed by selective silylation at position 6 afforded the separate

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8a–d and the corresponding E-isomers (9a–d). Iodonium-ion-induced cyclization of compounds 8c and 9a-c furnished stereoselectively the

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10a–c. Full deprotection of compounds 10a–c and the O-acetylation led to compounds 11a–c, which on treatment with tributyltin hydride-azobisisobutyromnitrile yielded and the title compounds (12a–c).     

Simple synthesis of P¹-(11-phenoxyundecyl)-P²-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-galactopyranosyl) diphosphate

A simple scheme of synthesis of P1-(11-phenoxyundecyl)-P2-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-galactopyranosyl) diphosphate synthetic lipid acceptor for glycosyltransferases participating in gram-negative bacteria O-antigenic polysaccharides is suggested.     

Studies on the koenigs-knorr reaction : Part V. Synthesis of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-α-L-fucopyranosyl-α-D-glucose

Optically pure 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-α-L-fucopyranosyl-α-D-glucose was synthesized by the Koenigs-Knorr reaction of 2-O-benzyl-3,4-di-O-p-nitrobenzoyl-α-L-fucopyranosyl bromide with benzyl 2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyrainoside. Reaction of 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-α-L-fucopyranosyl bromide gave the β-L-fucopyranosyl anomer. In contrast to the stereospecificity shown in this reaction by these two bromides, 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-L-fucopyranosyl bromide afforded a mixture of α-L and β-L anomers in almost equimolar proportions. The disaccharides synthesized were crystallized and characterized, and their optical purity demonstrated by g.l.c. of the per(trimethylsilyl) ethers of the corresponding alditols.     

The kinetics and mechanism of the reaction of 2′-deoxy-5′-guanosinemonophosphoric acid and the diaqua form of cis-platin

2′-Deoxy-5′-guanosinemonosphoric acid (B) reacts with cis-[Pt(NH₃)₂(OH₂)₂]²⁺ in two steps to form the cis-[Pt(NH₃)₂B₂]^y+ ion. In the first step 2′-d-5′- GMPH₂ reacts some ten times faster than 5′-GMPH₂ does. Rate constants, ΔH^#, ΔS^# and ΔV^# are very similar for the two bases in the second reaction. It is proposed that the product in the first step contains no water and is cis-[Pt(NH₃)₂B]^x+ in which the nucleobase is bidentate bonding through both N(7) of guanine and an oxygen atom of the phosphate group.     

Preparation, characterization, and biological evaluation of 6(I),6(IV)-di-O-[α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→6)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-cyclomaltoheptaose and 6-O-[α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→6)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-cyclomaltoheptaose

6(I),6(IV)-Di-O-[α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→6)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-cyclomaltoheptaose (βCD) {6(I),6(IV)-di-O-[α-l-Fuc-(1→6)-β-d-GlcNAc]-βCD (5)} and 6-O-[α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→6)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-βCD {6-O-[α-l-Fuc-(1→6)-β-d-GlcNAc]-βCD (6)} were chemically synthesized using the corresponding authentic compounds, bis(2,3-di-O-acetyl)-pentakis(2,3,6-tri-O-acetyl)-βCD as the glycosyl acceptor and 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→6)-3,4-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-(2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonylamino)-d-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate as the fuco-glucosaminyl donor. NMR confirmed that α-l-Fuc-(1→6)-d-GlcNAc was bonded by β-linking to the βCD ring. To evaluate biological efficiency, the biological activities of the new branched βCDs were examined. The cell detachment activity of 5 was lower than that of 6 in real-time cell sensing (RT-CES) assay, indicating that 5 has lower toxicity. In SPR analysis, 5 had a higher special binding with AAL, a fucose-recognizing lectin. These results suggest that 5 could be an efficient drug carrier directed at cells expressing fucose-binding proteins.     

Radioactive synthesis and biodistribution study of β-elemene–99mTc(CO)3 conjugates

β-Elemene, (5S,7R,10S)-(−)-(1-methyl-1-vinyl-2,4-diisopropenylcyclohexane), is an anticancer agent from traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Three novel ^99mTc(CO)₃–β-elemene conjugates were synthesized successfully, and compared with β-elemene exhibited improved water solubility. A biodistribution and micro single photon emission computed tomography image study showed there is a visible accumulation in Lewis lung cancer tumors. Y. Sun and Y. Ren contributed equally to this paper.     

o-nitrophenyl 6-deoxy-3-O-(6-deoxy-β-d-xylo-hex-5-enopyranosyl)-β-d-xylo-hex-5-enopyranoside,the major product of β-d-glucosidase action on o-nitrophenyl 6-deoxy-β-d-xylo-hex-5-enopyranoside

Incubation of o-nitrophenyl 6-deoxy-β-d-xylo-hex-5-enopyranoside (1) with emulin β-d-glucosidase gave, instead of the expected 6-deoxy-d-xylo-hexos-5-ulose (3), o-nitrophenyl 6-deoxy-3-O-(6-deoxy-β-d-xylo-hex-5-enopyranosyl)-β-d-xylo-hex-5-enopyranoside (2) in high yield (≈90% under optimal conditions). The structure of 2 was established from spectroscopic data and by correlation with compounds synthesised definitively. The specificity of the transfer reaction is discussed as an argument for an acceptor or aglycon binding-site.