β-d-glucosidase-catalysed transfer of the glycosyl group from aryl β-d-gluco- and β-d-xylo-pyranosides to phenols

The effect of phenols on the hydrolysis of substituted phenyl β-d-gluco- and β-d-xylo-pyranosides by β-d-glucosidase from Stachybotrys atra has been investigated. Depending on the glycon part of the substrate and on the phenol substituent, the hydrolysis is either inhibited or activated. With aryl β-d-xylopyranosides, transfer of the xylosyl residue to the phenol, with the formation of new phenyl β-d-xylopyranosides, is observed. With aryl β-d-glucopyranosides, such transfer does not occur when phenols are used as acceptors, but it does occur with anilines. A two-step mechanism, in which the first step is partially reversible, is proposed to explain these observations. A qualitative analysis of the various factors determining the overall effect of the phenol is given.     

The use of 1-O-tosyl-d-glucopyranose derivatives in α-d-glucoside synthesis

1-O-Tosyl-d-glucopyranose derivatives having a nonparticipating benzyl group at O-2 have been shown to react rapidly in various solvents with low concentrations of alcohols, either methanol or methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-d-glucopyranoside. The stereospecificity of the glucoside-forming reaction could be varied from 80% of β to 100% of α anomer by changing the solvent or modifying the substituents on the 1-O-tosyl-d-glucopyranose derivative. 2,3,4-Tri-O-benzyl-6-O-(N-phenylcarbamoyl)-1-O-tosyl-α-d-glucopyranose in diethyl ether gave a high yield of α-d-glucoside. Kinetic measurements of reaction with various alcohols (methanol, 2-propanol, and cyclohexanol) show a high rate even at low concentrations of alcohol, and give some insight into the reaction mechanism. The high rate and stereoselectivity of their reaction suggest that the 1-O-tosyl-d-glucopyranose derivatives may be used as reagents for oligosaccharide synthesis.     

A synthesis of methyl 4,6-di-O-Methyl-α-d-mannopyranoside

A new route is described for preparing methyl 4,6-di-O-methyl-α-d-mannopyranoside (5) via methyl 2,3-di-O-p-tolylsulfonyl-α-d-mannopyranoside (3) as an intermediate. The retention of the mannopyranoside configuration and ring form was confirmed by proton n.m.r. spectroscopy and by m.s. of peracetylated aldononitrile derivatives. Mass-spectral fragmentation-pathways previously proposed were confirmed for 5-O-acetyl-2,3,4,6-tetra-O-methyl-, 2,5-di-O-acetyl-3,4,6-tri-O-methyl-, and 3,5-di-O-acetyl-2,4,6-tri-O-methyl-d-mannononitrile.     

Derivatives of β-D-fructofuranosyl α-D-galactopyranoside

De-etherification of 6,6′-di-O-tritylsucrose hexa-acetate (2) with boiling, aqueous acetic acid caused 4→6 acetyl migration and gave a syrupy hexa-acetate 14, characterised as the 4,6′-dimethanesulphonate 15. Reaction of 2,3,3′4′,6-penta-O-acetylsucrose (5) with trityl chloride in pyridine gave a mixture containing the 1′,6′-diether 6 the 6′-ether 9, confirming the lower reactivity of HO-1′ to tritylation. Subsequent mesylation, detritylation, acetylation afforded the corresponding 4-methanesulphonate 8 1′,4-dimethanesulphonate 11. Reaction of these sulphonates with benzoate, azide, bromide, and chloride anions afforded derivatives of β-D-fructofuranosyl α-D-galactopyranoside (29) by inversion of configuration at C-4. Treatment of the 4,6′-diol 14 the 1,′4,6′-triol 5, the 4-hydroxy 1′,6′-diether 6 with sulphuryl chloride effected replacement of the free hydroxyl groups and gave the corresponding, crystalline chlorodeoxy derivatives. The same 4-chloro-4-deoxy derivative was isolated when the 4-hydroxy-1′,6′-diether 6 was treated with mesyl chloride in N,N-dimethylformamide.     

The synthesis of the α-d-anomers of “homonucleosides”: derivatives of 2,5-anhydro-d-altritol

Reaction of 2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-d-ribofuranosyl bromide with mercuric cyanide afforded an anomeric mixture of cyanides (3) and 1,4-anhydro-2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-d-erythro-pent-1-enitol (6). Reduction of 3 with lithium aluminum hydride gave a pair of epimeric amines (4 and 5), which were separated by chromatography and characterized by conversion into the known 2,5-anhydro-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-1-deoxy-1-ureido-d-allitol (7) and its epimer, 2,5-anhydro-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-1-deoxy-1-ureido-d-altritol (8). Compound 8 and its precursor were used for the synthesis of various “α-homonucleosides”.     

Crystal structures of rare disaccharides, α-d-glucopyranosyl β-d-psicofuranoside, and α-d-galactopyranosyl β-d-psicofuranoside

The crystal structures of α-d-glucopyranosyl β-d-psicofuranoside and α-d-galactopyranosyl β-d-psicofuranoside were determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, refined to R₁ = 0.0307 and 0.0438, respectively. Both disaccharides have a similar molecular structure, in which psicofuranose rings adopt an intermediate form between ⁴E and ⁴T₃. Unique molecular packing of the disaccharides was found in crystals, with the molecules forming a layered structure stacked along the y-axis.     

Synthesis of 5-O-α-and-β-d-glucopyranosyl-d-glucofuranose and 5-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-d-fructopyranose (leucrose)

Reaction of 1,2-O-cyclopentylidene-α-d-glucofuranurono-6,3-lactone (2) with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl bromide (1) gave 1,2-O-cyclopentylidene- 5-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl)-α-d-glucofuranurono-6,3-lactone (3, 45%) and 1,2-O-cyclopentylidene-5-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-α-d-glucofuranurono-6,3-lactone (4, 38%). Reduction of 3 and 4 with lithium aluminium hydride, followed by removal of the cyclopentylidene group, afforded 5-O-α-(9) and -β-d-glucopyranosyl-d-glucofuranose (12), respectively. Base-catalysed isomerization of 9 yielded crystalline 5-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-d-fructopyranose (leucrose, 53%).     

The synthesis of methyl 4-O-(4-O-α-d-galactopyranosyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside: The methyl β-glycoside of the trisaccharide related to Fabry's disease

As part of a program to synthesize the ceramide trisaccharide (1) related to Fabry's disease, methyl 4-O-(4-O-α-$\text{d}$-galactopyranosyl-β-$\text{d}$-galactopyranosyl)-β-$\text{d}$-glucopyranoside (12) was prepared. Methyl β-lactoside (2) was converted into methyl 4-O-(4,6-O-benzylidene-β-$\text{d}$-galactopyranosyl)-β-$\text{d}$-glucopyranoside (4). Methyl 2,3,6-tri-O-benzoyl-4-O-(2,3,6-tri-O-benzoyl-β-$\text{d}$-galactopyranosyl)-β-$\text{d}$-glucopyranoside (7) was synthesized from 4 through the intermediates methyl 2,3,6-tri-O-benzoyl-4-O-(4,6-O-benzylidene-2,3-di-O-benzoyl-β-$\text{d}$-galactopyranosyl)-β-$\text{d}$-glucopyranoside (5) and methyl 2,3,6-tri-O-benzoyl-4-O-(2,3-di-O-benzoyl-β-$\text{d}$-galactopyranosyl)-β-$\text{d}$-glucopyranoside (6). The halide-catalyzed condensation of 7 with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-$\text{d}$-galactopyranosyl bromide (8) gave methyl 2,3,6-tri-O-benzoyl-4-O-[2,3,6-tri-O-benzoyl-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-α-$\text{d}$-galactopyranosyl)- β-$\text{d}$-galactopyranosyl]-β-$\text{d}$-glucopyranoside (10). Stepwise deprotection of 10 led to 12, the methyl β-glycoside of the trisaccharide related to Fabry's disease.     

The acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of β-d-xylofuranosides

The rate constants for the hydrolysis of six alkyl and four aryl β-d-xylofuranosides in aqueous perchloric acid at various temperatures have been measured. The effects of varying the aglycon structure on the hydrolysis rate are interpreted in terms of two concurrent reactions. Either, the substrate, protonated on the glycosidic oxygen atom, undergoes a rate-limiting heterolysis to form a cyclic oxocarbonium ion, or, an initial rapid protonation of the ring oxygen is followed by a unimolecular cleavage of the five-membered ring, all subsequent reactions being fast. It is suggested that xylofuranosides having strongly electron-attracting aglycon groups react mainly by the former pathway, whereas the latter is more favourable for substrates having electron-repelling aglycon groups. The negative entropies of activation obtained with the latter compounds are attributed to the rate-limiting opening of the five-membered ring. The rate variations of the hydrolyses of alkyl β-d-xylofuranosides in aqueous perchloric acid-methyl sulfoxide mixtures are interpreted as lending further support for the suggested chance in mechanism.     

α-D-Mannosidase-catalyzed hydrolysis of substituted phenyl α-D-mannopyranosides

The influence substituents on the hydrolysis of substituted phenyl α-D-mannopyranosides by α-D-mannosidase from Medicago sativa L. has been investigated. As indicated by structure-activity relations, the electronic effect of the substituent has an influence on the rate of formation of the intermediate mannosyl-enzyme complex. This effect depends not only on the nature of the substituent, but also on its position (meta or para) and on the temperature of the experiment. Hammett-type linear free energy relationships show that the reaction constant p changes its sign at ～27°. Substrates with strong electron-withdrawing groups show values of log V that are linearly related to 1/T, whereas the Arrhenius plots for other substrates are severely curved. This complex behaviour is tentatively explained by assuming that some meta-substituents have an unusual, temperature- and substituent-dependent influence on the formation of the Michaelis—Menten complex.     

Crystal structure of 2-deoxy-β-d-lyxo-hexose (2-deoxy-β-d-galactose)

2-Deoxy-β-d-lyxo-hexose (2-deoxy-β-d-galactose, C₆H₁₂O₅), M_r = 164.16, is monoclinic, P2₁ with a = 9.811(1), b = 6.953(1), c = 5.315(1) Å, β = 91.58(2)°, V = 362.5(1) ų, Z = 2, and D_x = 1.504 g.cm^?3. The structure was solved by direct methods (MULTAN 79) and refined to R = 0.032 for 800 observed reflections. Each hydroxyl oxygen, acting both as donor and acceptor, is involved in a hydrogen-bonding system, which consists of infinite helical chains around the crystallographic screw axes. Moreover, weak interactions allow the incorporation of the ring-oxygen atoms into an interconnected network.     

Synthesis of 2,5-dideoxy-2-C-methyl-d-arabinose derivatives from methyl 2,3-anhydro-5-deoxy-α-d-ribofuranoside

Treatment of methyl 2,3-anhydro-5-deoxy-α-d-ribofuranoside with lithium dimethyl cuprate gave methyl 2,5-dideoxy-2-C-methyl-α-d-arabinofuranoside (54% yield) and methyl 3,5-dideoxy-3-C-methyl-α-d-xylofuranoside (10%). The former was converted into its 3-O-acetyl and 3-O-benzyl derivatives, which, upon acid hydrolysis, afforded 3-O-acetyl- and 3-O-benzyl-2,5-dideoxy-2-C-methyl-d-arabinofuranose in 60–75% overall yield. Treatment of the 3-O-benzyl compound with ethanethiol in the presence of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid afforded 3-O-benzyl-2,5-dideoxy-2-C-methyl-d-arabinose diethyl dithioacetal (20%) and ethyl 3-O-benzyl-2,5-dideoxy-2-C-methyl-1-thio-α-d-arabinoside (73%). The former, which was also available from the latter by equilibration in acidic ethanethiol, was acetylated at O-4 and the product converted into the corresponding dimethyl acetal (85% overall yield). This compound was, after debenzylation, hydrolyzed with acid, to provide 4-O-acetyl-2,5-dideoxy-2-C-methyl-d-arabinose in 70% overall yield.     

Structure of the water-insoluble α-d-glucan of streptococcus salivarius HHT

Water-insoluble, non-adherent α-d-glucans have been obtained from Streptococcus salivarius HHT under two sets of conditions: from a growing culture, or synthesized enzymically by using a glucosyltransferase. In the former case, the glucan ([α]_d + 197°) was shown by methylation analysis to have a slightly branched structure containing a relatively high proportion (80 %) of (1→3)-α-d-glucosidic linkages, together with small proportions of (1→6)- and (1→4)-α-d-glucosidic linkages. The enzymically synthesized glucan had a much less-branched structure, containing 88 % of (1→3)-α-d-glucosidic linkages. Both glucans, on Smith degradation (sequential periodate oxidation, borohydride reduction, and mild acid hydrolysis), gave linear, (1→3)-α-d-glucosidic polysaccharides (yields, 82-90%) that constitute the backbone chains. The presence of small proportions of glycerol, erythritol, 1-O-α-d-glucosyl-d-glycerol, and also 2-O-α-d-glucosyl-d-erythritol in the products of Smith degradation suggests that the short side-chains are attached to the backbone chain by (1→4)-, (1→6)-, and (1→3)-α-d-glucosidic linkages     

Practical synthesis of O-β-d-mannopyranosyl-, O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-, and O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-d-galactoses

The koenigs-Knorr glycosylation of 4,6-O-ethylidene-1,2-O-isopropylidene-3-O-(2,3-O-isopropylidene-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl)-α-d-galactopyranose (3) by 4,6-di-O-acetyl-2,3-O-carbonyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl bromide (10), as well as Helferich glycosylations of 3 by tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl and -α-d-glucopyranosyl bromides, proceeded smoothly to give high yields of trisaccharide derivatives (12, 16, and 17). An efficient procedure for the transformation of 12, 16, and 17 into the α-deca-acetates of the respective trisaccharides has been developed. Zemplén de-acetylation then afforded the title trisaccharides in yields of 53, 52, and 62 %, respectively, from 3. A new route to 1,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2,3-O-carbonyl-α-d-mannopyranose is suggested.     

X-ray crystal structure of maltitol (4-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-d-glucitol

Maltitol, crystallised from aqueous solution, has m.p. 146.5–147°, [α]_d + 106.5° (water), and is orthorhombic with the space group P2₁2₁2₁ and Z = 4, and with cell dimensions a = 8.166(5), b = 12.721(9), and c = 13.629(6) Å. The molecule shows a fully extended conformation with no intramolecular hydrogen-bonds. All nine hydroxyl groups are involved in intermolecular hydrogen-bond networks and in bifurcated, finite chains. The d-glucopyranosyl moiety has the ⁴C₁ conformation, and the conformation about the C-5–C-6 bond is gauche-gauche. The d-glucitol residue has the bent [ap, Psc, Psc (APP)] conformation. The empirical formula for the solubility in water is C = 119.1 + 1.204 T + 4.137 × 10^?2 T² ? 7.137 × 10^?4 T³ + 7.978 × 10^?6 T⁴. The thermal properties are as follows: ΔH_f = 13.5 kcal.mol^?1, and Q = ?5.57 kcal.mol^?1.     

The oxidation of methyl α-D-glucopyranoside with methyl sulproxide and acetic anhydride

The relative proportions of carbonyl, O-acetyl, and O-(methylthio)methylsugars resulting from the partial oxidation of methyl α-D-glucopyranoside with methyl sulphoxide and acetic anhydride have been investigated@ the preparation of the 2- and 6-(methylthio)methyl ethers of methyl α-D-glucopyranoside is described.     

A synthesis of 3-O-(α-d-mannopyranosyl)-d-mannose and its protein conjugate

Methods for the synthesis of 3-O-(α-d-mannopyranosyl)-d-mannose and 2-(4-aminophenyl)ethyl 3-O-(α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside have been investigated by a number of sequences. Glycosidations with 2,3-di-O-acetyl-4,6-di-O-benzyl-d-mannopyranosyl and 2-O-benzoyl-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-d-mannopyranosyl p-toluenesulfonates were found to give better yields than the Helferich modification, the use of a peracylated d-mannopyranosyl halide, or the use of triflyl leaving group. Only the α anomer was obtained. Factors influencing glycosidation reactions are discussed. A mercury(II) complex was used for selective 2-O-acylation of 4,6-di-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranosides. A disaccharide—protein conjugate was prepared by the isothiocyanate method.     

The synthesis of 3-amino-3-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranosyl α-d-glucopyranoside (3-amino-3-deoxy-α,α-trehalose

The preparation of 2,3-di-O-benzoyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-d-glucopyranosyl-2-O-benzoyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-d-ribo-hexopyranosid-3-ulose (3) from 4,6:4′,6′-di-O-benzylidene-α,α-trehalose (1) via the 2,3,2′-tribenzoate 2 has been improved. Reduction of 3 with sodium borohydride gave 2-O-benzoyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-d-allopyranosyl 2,3-di-O-benzoyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-d-glucopyranoside (4), which was converted into the methanesulfonate 5 and trifluoromethanesulfonate 6. Displacement of the sulfonic ester group in 6 with lithium azide was very facile and afforded a high yield of 3-azido-2-O-benzoyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-3-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranosyl 2,3-di-O-benzoyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-d-glycopyranoside (7), whereas similar displacement in 5 proceeded sluggishly, giving a lower yield of 7 together with an unsaturated disaccharide (8). The azido sugar 7 was converted by conventional reactions into the analogous 2,3,2′-triacetate 9, the corresponding 2,3,2′-triol 10, and deprotected 3-azido-3-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranosyl α-d-glucopyranoside (11). Hydrogenation of 11 over Adams' catalyst furnished crystalline 3-amino-3-deoxy-α,α-trehalose hydrochloride (12), the overall yield from 3 being 35%.     

Identification of neoschaftoside as 6-C-β-d-glucopyranosyl-8-C-β-l-arabinopyranosylapigenin

The structure of neoschaftoside is shown for the first time to be 6-C-β-d-glucopyranosyl-8-C-β-l-arabinopyranosylapigenin. A variety of chemical and spectroscopic techniques are involved.