Synthesis of two repeat units corresponding to the backbone of the pectic polysaccharide rhamnogalacturonan I

A tetrasaccharide corresponding to a sequence of the rhamnogalacturonan I backbone has been synthesized. This synthesis relies on only two protected monosaccharides and proceeds through a common disaccharide intermediate. Synthesis of this tetrasaccharide has been designed to allow for the addition of branching elements at the 4-positions of the rhamnosyl units, or further chain elongation at the 2-position.