Synthesis of a branched d-mannopentaoside and a branched d-mannohexaoside: Models of the inner core of cell-wall glycoproteins of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Synthetic routes are discussed to the branched d-mannopentaoside methyl 6-O-(2,6-di-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-3-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranoside and d-mannohexaoside methyl 6-O-(2,6-di-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-3-O-(2-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)- α-d-mannopyranoside, employing the properly benzylated d-mannobioside methyl 2,4-di-O-benzyl-6-O-(3,4-di-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside and d-mannotrioside methyl 2,4-di-O-benzyl-6-O-(3,4-di-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-3-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d- mannopyranoside as key intermediates.     

Synthesis of a branched d-mannopentaoside and a branched d-mannohexaoside: Models of the outer chain of the glycan of soybean agglutinin

Synthetic routes are described to the d-mannopentaoside methyl 3-O-(3,6-di-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-6-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranoside, and the d-mannohexaoside methyl 3-O-(3,6-di-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-6-O-(2-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α- d-mannopyranoside, formed in a regio- and stereo-controlled way by employing the properly protected d-mannobioside methyl 2,4-di-O-benzyl-3-O-(2,4-di-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside and d-mannotrioside methyl 2,4-di-O-benzyl-3-O-(2,4-di-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-6-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-α-d- mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside as key intermediates.     

Synthesis of three oligosaccharides that form part of the complex type of carbohydrate moiety of glycoproteins

Silver trifluoromethanesulfonate-promoted condensation of 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-phthalimido-β-d-glucopyranosyl bromide with benzyl 3,6-di-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranoside and benzyl 3,4-di-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranoside gave the protected 2,4- and 2,6-linked trisaccharides in yields of 54 and 32%, respectively. After exchanging the 2-deoxy-2-phthalimido groups for 2-acetamido-2-deoxy groups and de-blocking, the trisaccharides 2,4-di-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-d-mannose and 2,6-di-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-d-mannose were obtained. Similar condensation of 3,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl bromide with benzyl 3,4-di-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranoside gave a pentasaccharide derivative in 52% yield. After transformations analogous to those applied to the trisaccharides, 2,6-di-O-[β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)]-d-mannose was obtained.     

The synthesis and properties of benzylated oxazolines derived from 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose

2-Methyl-(2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-1,2-dideoxy-α-D-glucopyrano)-[2,1-d]-2-oxazoline,2-methyl-(2-acetamido-6-O-acetyl-3,4-di-O-benzyl-1,2-dideoxy-α-D-glucopyrano)-[2,1-d]-2-oxazoline,and 2-methyl-(2-acetamido-4-O-acetyl-3,6-di-O-benzyl-1,2-dideoxy-α-D-glucopyrano)-[2,1-d]-2-oxazoline were synthesized from the allyl 2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranosides, and from the 3,4-di-O-benzyl or 3,6-di-O-benzyl analogs, respectively, both the α and β anomer being used in each case. The preparation of allyl 2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl- and 3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranoside is also described. Treatment of the tri-O-benzyl oxazoline with dibenzyl phosphate gave a pentabenzylglycosyl phosphate, from which all the benzyl groups were removed by catalytic hydrogenation, giving 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate. The corresponding β anomer was not detectable. Treatment of the 3,4-, or 3,6-, di-O-benzyl oxazoline with allyl 2-acetamido-3,4-di-O-benzyl-α-D-glucopyranoside readily gave disaccharide products from which the protecting groups were removed, to give the (1→6)-linked isomer of di-N-acetylchitobiose. Under both acidic and basic conditions, this isomer was less stable than the (1→4)-linked compound.Attempts to employ the 3,6-di-O-benzyl oxazoline for the formation of (1→4)-linked disaccharides, by treatment with either anomer of allyl 2-acetamido-3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranoside, were not very successful, presumably owing to hindrance by the bulky benzyl groups.     

Studies on the structure of a polysaccharide from Epidermophyton floccosum and approach to a synthesis of the basic trisaccharide repeating units

An alkali-soluble polysaccharide, designated as S-Iawe, has been isolated from the maycelia of Epidermophyton floccosum. Methylation, periodate oxidation, and acetolysis studies suggested that S-lawe is composed of (1→6)-Oα-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-[α-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)]-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl repeating units. Condensation of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl bromide with methyl 3-O-benzyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-d-mannopyranoside in the presence of mercuric cyanide gave in 70% yield methyl 3-O-benzyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside. Condensation of the debenzylidenated disaccharide with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acctyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl bromide afforded the corresponding trisaccharide repeating unit.     

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.     

A synthesis of psi-cytidine

2-O-Benzoyl-3,6-di-O-benzyl-4-O-(chloroacetyl)-, 4-O-acetyl-2-O-benzoyl-3,6-di-O-benzyl-, and 2-O-benzoyl-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-α-d-galactopyranosyl chloride were converted into the corresponding 2,2,2-trifluoroethanesulfonates, and these were treated with allyl 2-O-benzoyl-3,6-di-O-benzyl-α-d-galactopyranoside, to give allyl 2-O-benzoyl-4-O-[2-O-benzoyl-3,6-di-O-benzyl-4-O-(chloroacetyl)-β-d-galactopyranosyl]-3,6-di-O-benzyl- α-d-galactopyranoside (26; 41% yield), allyl 4-O-(4-O-acetyl-2-O-benzoyl-3,6-di-O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-2-O-benzoyl-3,6-di-O-benzyl- α-d-galactopyranoside (27; 62% yield), and allyl 2-O-benzoyl-4-O-(2-O-benzoyl-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-3,6-di-O-benzyl-α-d-galactopyranoside (28; 65% yield). All disaccharides were free from their α anomers. Disaccharides 26 and 27 were found to be base-sensitive, and were de-esterified by KCN in aqueous ethanol, and debenzylated with H₂-Pd. Attempts to produce (1→4)-β-d-galactopyranosides from the coupling of a number of fully esterified d-galactopyranosyl sulfonates to allyl 2,3,6-tri-O-benzoyl-α-d-galactopyranoside were unsuccessful.     

Synthesis of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-β-d-mannopyranosyl-d-glucose

Condensation of 4,6-di-O-acetyl-2,3-O-carbonyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl bromide with benzyl 2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranoside (2) gave an α-d-linked disaccharide, further transformed by removal of the carbonyl and benzylidene groups and acetylation into the previously reported benzyl 2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-3-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-glucopyranoside. Condensation of 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-1,2-O-(1-ethoxyethylidene)-α-d-glucopyranose or 2-O-acetyl-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl bromide with 2 gave benzyl 2-acetamido-3-O-(2-O-acetyl-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranoside. Removal of the acetyl group at O-2, followed by oxidation with acetic anhydride-dimethyl sulfoxide, gave the β-d-arabino-hexosid-2-ulose 14. Reduction with sodium borohydride, and removal of the protective groups, gave 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-β-d-mannopyranosyl-d-glucose, which was characterized as the heptaacetate. The anomeric configuration of the glycosidic linkage was ascertained by comparison with the α-d-linked analog.     

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.     

Synthesis of two purple-membrane glycolipids and the glycolipid sulfate O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl 3-sulfate)-(1→6)-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→1)-2, 3-di-O-phytanyl-sn-glycerol

The two purple-membrane glycolipids O-β-d-glucopyranosyl- and O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→1)-2, 3-di-O-phytanyl-sn-glycerol were prepared by coupling O-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-(1→2)-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1→1)-2, 3-di-O-phytanyl-sn-glycerol (9) with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl bromide or 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl bromide, respectively, followed by deacetylation. The glycolipid sulfate O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl 3-sulfate)-(1→6)-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→1)-2,3-di-O-phytanyl-sn-glycerol was prepared by coupling of 9 with 2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-3-O-trichloroethyloxycarbonyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl bromide in the presence of Hg(CN)₂/HgBr₂ followed by selective removal of the 3?-trichloroethyloxycarbonyl group, sulfation of HO-3?, and deacetylation. The suitably protected key-intermediate 9 could be prepared by two distinct approaches.     

Unambiguous syntheses of the 3,4-di- and 3,4,6-tri-methyl ethers of methyl α-d-mannopyranoside

The unambiguous syntheses of methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-methyl-α-d-mannopyranoside (6) and methyl 3,4-di-O-methyl-α-d-mannopyranoside (10) were performed by routes involving methyl 3-O-benzoyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-d-mannopyranoside (1) to form methyl 2-O-p-tolylsulfonyl-d-mannopyranoside (4). Compound 4 directly led to 6, and, via a 6-trityl derivative, to 10.     

Synthesis of the tetrasaccharide repeating-unit of the O-specific polysaccharide from Salmonella senftenberg

The oligosaccharide β-d-Man-(1 → 4)-α-l-Rha (1 → 3)-d-Gal-(6 ← 1)-α-d-Glc, which is the repeating unit of the O-specific polysaccharide chain of the lipopolysaccharide from Salmonella senftenberg, was obtained by glycosylation of benzyl 2,4-di-O-benzyl-6-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-6-O-p-nitrobenzoyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl)-β-d-galactopyranoside or benzyl 2-O-acetyl-6-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-6-O-p-nitrobenzoyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl)-β-d-galactopyranoside with 3-O-acetyl-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-mannopyranosyl)-β-l-rhamnopyranose 1,2-(methyl orthoacetate) followed by removal of protecting groups.     

Purification and properties of an endo-(1 leads to 3)-beta-D-glucanase from malted barley

3,6-Anhydro-α-D-galactopyranose 1,2-(methyl orthoacetate) and its 4-acetate were synthesized from 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-6-O-tosyl-α-D-galactopyranosyl bromide. Condensation of the above-mentioned, acetylated ortho ester with 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactopyranose gave 6-O-(2,4-di-O-acetyl-3,6-anhydro-β-D-galactopyranosyl)-1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactopyranose. The same disaccharide derivative was synthesised from 6-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactopyranose by mono-O-tosylation followed by treatment with alkali and acetylation.     

Syntheses of model oligosaccharides of biological significance.Synthesis of methyl 3,6-DI-O-(α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside and the corresponding mannobiosides

Methyl 2-O-allyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-3-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside(12) was prepared in 90 % yield by Helferich glycosylation of methyl 2-O-allyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-d-mannopyranoside (9) with tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl bromide (11). Removal of the benzylidene group and second Helferich glycosylation with 11 led to methyl 2-O-allyl-3,6-di-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside (14) which, after deallylation and Zemplén deacetylation, gave the title compound 5. The disaccharides methyl 3-O-(α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside (7) and methyl 6-O-(α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside (6) have also been synthesized. Complete assignments of the ¹H-n.m.r. spectra of the compounds 5, 6, and 7 are given.     

Synthesis of 3- and 2′-fucosyl-lactose and 3,2′-difucosyl-lactose from partially benzylated lactose derivatives

O-β-d-Galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-[α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-d-glucose has been synthesised by reaction of benzyl 2,6-di-O-benzyl-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside with 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-l-fucopyranosyl bromide in the presence of mercuric bromide, followed by hydrogenolysis. Benzylation of benzyl 3′,4′-O-isopropylidene-β-lactoside, via tributylstannylation, in the presence of tetrabutylammonium bromide or N-methylimidazole, gave benzyl 2,6-di-O-benzyl-4-O-(6-O-benzyl-3,4-O-isopropylidene-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (6). α-Fucosylation of 6 in the presence of tetraethylammonium bromide provided either benzyl 2,6-di-O-benzyl-4-O-[6-O-benzyl-3,4-O-isopropylidene-2-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-l-fucopyransoyl)-β-d- galactopyranosyl]-β-d-glucopyranoside (13, 73%) or a mixture of 13 (42%) and benzyl 2,6-di-O-benzyl-4-O-[6-O-benzyl-3,4,-O-isopropylidene-2-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-l-fucopyranosyl)-β-d- galactopyranosyl-3-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-l-fucopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (16, 34%). α-Fucosylation of 13 in the presence of mercuric bromide and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylpyridine gave 16 (73%). Hydrogenolysis and acid hydrolysis of 13 and 16 afforded O-α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-d-glucose and O-α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-[α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-d-glucose, respectively.     

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.     

Selective benzylation of some D-galactopyranosides. Unusual relative reactivity of the hydroxyl group at C-4

Partial benzylation of methyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-α-D-galactopyranoside gave methyl 2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-α-D-galactopyranoside as the major product, whereas the isomeric 2,6-di-O-benzyl ether gave a mixture of products in which the ratio of methyl 2,4,6- to methyl 2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-α-D-galactopyranoside was ≈4:1. The proportion of unreacted starting-material was low in both cases, whereas after a similar reaction of methyl 2,6-di-O-benzyl-β-D-galactopyranoside more than 50% of the dibenzyl ether was recovered unchanged. In this case also, considerably higher reactivity was exhibited by the hydroxyl group at C-4 than that at C-3. Acid hydrolysis of the methyl glycosides of the tribenzyl ethers afforded crystalline 2,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-α-D-galactose and syrupy 2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-D-galactose. Structures of intermediates were established by acetylation, examination of their n.m.r. spectra, and conversion into the known 3-O and 4-O-methyl-D-galactose.     

Synthesis of a tetrasaccharide donor corresponding to the O-specific polysaccharide of Shigella dysenteriae type 1

O-(2,4-Di-O-chloroacetyl-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl)-(1 → 2)-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-α-d-galactopyranosyl)-(1 → 3)-O-(2-acetamido-4,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-α-d-glycopyranosyl)-(1 → 3)-2,4-di-O-benzoyl-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (1) was synthesized in a stepwise manner, using the following monosaccharide units: 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 2,4-di-O-benzoyl-α-l-rhamnopyranoside, 2-azido-4,6-O-benzylidene-3-O-chloroacetyl-2-deoxy-β-d-glycopyranosyl chloride, methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-2-O-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1-thio-β-d-galactopyranoside, and 2,4-di-O-benzoyl-3-O-chloroacetyl-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl chloride. Compound 1 corresponds to a complete tetrasaccharide repeating unit of the O-specific polysaccharide of the lipopolysaccharide of Shigella dysenteriae type 1.     

Synthesis of benzyl and allyl ethers of D-glucopyranose

Starting from allyl 3-O-benzyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-D-glucopyranoside as a key intermediate, the following crystalline compounds were prepared: 2-O-allyl-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-D-glucopyranose (11) and its p-nitrobenzoate; 2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-D-arabinofuranose (12) and the corresponding arabinitol; allyl 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (7); 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-D-glucopyranose (8); 2-O-allyl-3,4-di-O-benzyl-D-glucopyranose (17) and its bis(p-nitrobenzoate); and 3,4-di-O-benzyl-D-glucopyranose (19). The p-nitrobenzoates of compounds 11 and 17 are potential intermediates for the synthesis of the glycolipids of the cytoplasmic membranes of Streptococci.     

The stepwise synthesis of a methyl β-xylotetraoside related to branched xylans

3,4-Di-O-acetyl-2-O-benzyl-α-d-xylopyranosyl bromide (1) reacts with methyl 2,3-anhydro-α-d-ribopyranoside (2) to afford, in high yield, methyl 2,3-anhydro-4-O- (3,4-di-O-acetyl-2-O-benzyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-β-d-ribopyranoside (3). Deacetylation of 3 gave 4, which reacted with 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-α-d-xylopyranosyl bromide to give the branched tetrasaccharide derivative 5, which, in turn, was converted by a series or conventional reactions into methyl 4-O-[3,4-di-O-(β-d-xylopyranosyl)-β-d- xylopyranosyl]-β-d-xylopyranoside. The reaction of 1 with its hydrolysis product gave 3,4-di-O-acetyl-2-O-benzyl-α-d-xylopyranosyl 3,4-di-O-acetyl-2-O-benzyl-β-d-xylopyranoside, which was also isolated after the reaction of 1 with 2.