Unusual properties of glycuronans [poly(glycosyluronic) compounds]

2-Methyl-3,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-α-d-glucopyrano]-2,1-d]-2-oxazoline (4) was prepared from 2-acetamido-3,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-α-d- glucopyranosyl chloride. Condensation of 3,4:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-d-mannose dimethyl acetal with 4 in the presence of a catalytic amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid afforded O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-(1 → 4)-O-(2-acetamido-3,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1 → 2)-3,4:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-d-mannose dimethyl acetal (6) in 8.6% yield. Catalytic deacetylation of 6 with sodium methoxide, followed by hydrolysis with dilute sulfuric acid, gave O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1 → 2)-d-mannose (7). The inhibitory activities of 7 and related sugars against the hemagglutinating activities of various lectins were assayed, and 7 was found to be a good inhibitor against Phaseolus vulgaris hemagglutinin.