Synthesis of anomeric sulfonamides and their behaviour under radical-mediated bromination conditions

O-Peracetylated methyl 3-(d-glycopyranosylthio)propanoates of β-d-gluco, and α- and β-d-galacto configurations were oxidized to the corresponding S,S-dioxides (sulfones) by Oxone^® or MCPBA. Oxidation of the β-d-gluco derivative with H₂O₂/Na₂WO₄ gave the corresponding S-oxide (sulfoxide). DBU-induced elimination of methyl acrylate from the β-d-gluco and β-d-galacto configured S,S-dioxides (sulfones) gave O-peracetylated β-d-glycopyranosyl-1-C-sulfinates which, on treatment with H₂NOSO₃H, furnished the corresponding β-d-glycopyranosyl-1-C-sulfonamides. Radical-mediated bromination of the protected methyl 3-(β-d-glycopyranosylthio)propanoate S,S-dioxides gave mixtures of 1-C- and 5-C-bromoglycosyl compounds. Similar brominations of the O-peracetylated β-d-glycopyranosyl-1-C-sulfonamides resulted in the formation of α-d-glycopyranosyl bromides and 1-C- and 5-C-bromoglycosyl sulfonamides. A rationale for these observations was proposed. Methyl 3-(β-d-glucopyranosylthio)propanoate, its S,S-dioxide, and β-d-glucopyranosyl-1-C-sulfonamide proved inefficient when tested as inhibitors of rabbit muscle glycogen phosphorylase b.