Synthesis of galactofuranose disaccharides of biological significance

Methyl beta-D-galactofuranoside was readily obtained by tin(IV) chloride-catalyzed glycosylation of penta-O-benzoyl-alpha,beta-D-galactofuranose, followed by debenzoylation with sodium methoxide. Glycosylation of 1 with 2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-D-galactono-1,4-lactone or with the 6-O-trityl-lactone derivative 5 gave the benzoylated beta-D-galactofuranosyl-(1----6)-D-galactono-1,4-lactone 6 in excellent yield. The structure of disaccharide 6 was confirmed by borohydride reduction to the glycosyl-alditol 7. A byproduct of the condensation reaction of 1 with 4 or 5 was identified as the benzoylated (1----1)-beta,beta'-D-galactofuranosyl disaccharide 8. Compound 8 was readily prepared (88% yield) by controlled addition of water to 1, in the presence of stannic chloride. O-Debenzoylation of 8 afforded crystalline beta'-D-galactofuranosyl-(1----1)-beta-D-galactofuranoside. The glycosyl-lactone 6 constitutes a key intermediate for the synthesis of a disaccharide derivative having both units in the furanoid form. Thus, diisoamylborane reduction of the lactone function of 6 led to the disaccharide derivative 10, from which the methyl glycoside 12 was prepared. O-Debenzoylation of 12 gave the corresponding methyl beta-D-galactofuranosyl-(1----6)-beta-D-galactofuranoside. The free disaccharide beta-D-Galf-(1----6)-D-Galp and its acetylated derivative were also synthesized from 10.