Improved α-Sialylation through the Synergy of 5- N,4- O-Oxazolidinone Protection and Exocyclic C-1 Neighboring Group Participation

J Org Chem. 2020 Nov 6;85(21):13589-13601. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.0c01719. Epub 2020 Oct 15.

Abstract

Stereoselective construction of α-sialyl linkages is one of the most significant challenges in carbohydrate chemistry. In this research, we developed a novel strategy for stereoselective synthesis of α-linked sialosides by protecting the 5-N,4-O-positions of a sialyl donor with an oxazolidinone group and its C-1 carboxylic functionality with a cyanoethyl ester to promote α-glycosylation. We also adopted the more electrophilic N-bromosuccinimide as a promoter to readily activate p-tolyl thiosialoside at -78 °C. The sialylation using this sialyl donor gave excellent yields and α-selectivity. The new synthetic method was used to successfully construct naturally occurring α-sialosides having sialic acid linked to the 6-O- or 3-O-position of galactoside, or 8-O-position of another sialic acid, respectively, as well as other α-linked sialosides.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't