The synthesis of racemic purpurosamine B

Starting from methyl 4,6-dichloro-4,6-dideoxy-α-D-galactopyranoside (1), D-chalcose (4,6-dideoxy-3-O-methyl-D-xcylo-hexopyranose) (5) was prepared by dechlorination with tributyltin hydride, selective benzoylation with benzoyl cyanide at O-2, methylation at O-3, and acid hydrolysis. D-Chalcose (5) was obtained as well by direct methylation of 1 with diazomethane at O-3, reduction with tin hydride, and hydrolysis. Chalcosyl bromide prepared from 5 was not very suitable for β-glycoside synthesis under Koenigs-Knorr conditions, and better results were obtained with 2- O-acetyl-4,6-dichloro-4,6-dideoxy-3-O-methyl-α-D-galactopyranosyl bromide, which gave β-glycosides with methanol, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol, 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactopyranose, and methyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-6-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside. After dechlorination with tributyltin hydride, the corresponding β-glycosides of D-chalcose were obtained in good yield.