Combination of 3--Levulinoyl and 6--Trifluorobenzoyl Groups Ensures α-Selectivity in Glucosylations: Synthesis of the Oligosaccharides Related to α-(1 → 3)-d-Glucan.

Stereospecific α-glucosylation of primary and secondary OH-group at carbohydrate acceptors is achieved using glucosyl -phenyl-trifluoroacetimidate (PTFAI) donor protected with an electron-withdrawing 2,4,5-trifluorobenzoyl (TFB) group at O-6 and the participating levulinoyl (Lev) group at O-3. New factors have been revealed that might explain α-stereoselectivity in the case of TFB and pentafluorobenzoyl (PFB) groups at O-6. They are of conformational nature and confirmed by DFT calculations. The potential of this donor, as well as the orthogonality of TFB and Lev protecting groups, is showcased by the synthesis of α-(1 → 3)-linked pentaglucoside corresponding to α-(1 → 3)-d-glucan and of its hexasaccharide derivative, bearing β-glucosamine residue at the non-reducing end.