On the origin of the regioselectivity in glycosylation reactions of 1,2-diols.

The assistance of neighboring protecting groups with different orientations in 1,2-diol acceptors and the reactivity of both reaction partners, the donor and the acceptor, have been evaluated as factors that determine the regioselectivity of glycosylation reactions. It has been established, by experimental and theoretical studies, that the regioselectivity for the glycosylation of a given OH group can be considerably increased by the presence of groups able to form a hydrogen bond with that OH group. Moreover higher regioselectivities are observed when armed donor/activated acceptor combinations are avoided.

A study on the influence of the structure of the glycosyl acceptors on the stereochemistry of the glycosylation reactions with 2-azido-2-deoxy-hexopyranosyl trichloroacetimidates.

The stereochemical outcome of glycosylations with 2-azido-2-deoxy-D-gluco- and D-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidates as glycosyl donors has been investigated by using a series of chiro-inositol derivatives as glycosyl acceptors. The influence of the absolute configuration, the conformation and the conformational flexibility of the glycosyl acceptor has been studied by using different glycosyl donors under similar pre-established experimental conditions. Although the structure of the acceptor may play a role in governing the stereochemistry of these glycosylations, the results show that, in general terms, the relative influence of these factors is difficult to evaluate.

Synthesis of fagopyritols A1 and B1 from D-chiro-inositol.

Fagopyritol A1 (3-O-alpha-d-galactopyranosyl-d-chiro-inositol) and fagopyritol B1 (2-O-alpha-d-galactopyranosyl-d-chiro-inositol) have been synthesized by glycosylation of the diequatorial diol 1,4,5,6-tetra-O-benzoyl-d-chiro-inositol, readily obtained from d-chiro-inositol, with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-d-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate.