Controlling the chemical glycosylation reaction remains the major challenge in the synthesis of oligosaccharides. Though 1,2-trans glycosidic linkages can be installed using neighboring group participation, the construction of 1,2-cis linkages is difficult and has no general solution. Long-range participation (LRP) by distal acyl groups may steer the stereoselectivity, but contradictory results have been reported on the role and strength of this stereoelectronic effect. It has been exceedingly difficult to study the bridging dioxolenium ion intermediates because of their high reactivity and fleeting nature. Here we report an integrated approach, using infrared ion spectroscopy, DFT computations, and a systematic series of glycosylation reactions to probe these ions in detail. Our study reveals how distal acyl groups can play a decisive role in shaping the stereochemical outcome of a glycosylation reaction, and opens new avenues to exploit these species in the assembly of oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates to fuel biological research.

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Characterization of glycosyl dioxolenium ions and their role in glycosylation reactions

Glycosylations promoted by triflate-generating reagents are widespread synthetic methods for the construction of glycosidic scaffolds and glycoconjugates of biological and chemical interest These processes are thought to proceed with the participation of a plethora of activated high energy intermediates such as the α- and β-glycosyl triflates, or even increasingly unstable glycosyl oxocarbenium-like species, among which only α-glycosyl triflates have been well characterized under representative reaction conditions Interestingly, the remaining less accessible intermediates, yet to be experimentally described, seem to be particularly relevant in α-selective processes, involving weak acceptors Herein, we report a detailed analysis of several paradigmatic and illustrative examples of such reactions, employing a combination of chemical, NMR, kinetic and theoretical approaches, culminating in the unprecedented detection and quantification of the true β-glycosyl triflate intermediates within activated donor mixtures This achievement was further employed as a stepping-stone for the characterization of the triflate anomerization dynamics, which along with the acceptor substitutions, govern the stereochemical outcome of the reaction The obtained data conclusively show that, even for highly dissociative reactions involving β-close ion pair (β-CIP) species, the formation of the α-glycoside is necessarily preceded by a bimolecular α → β triflate interconversion, which under certain circumstances becomes the rate-limiting step Overall, our results rule out the prevalence of the Curtin-Hammett fast-exchange assumption for most glycosylations and highlight the distinct reactivity properties of α- and β-glycosyl triflates against neutral and anionic acceptors

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Dissecting the Essential Role of Anomeric β-Triflates in Glycosylation Reactions.

The stereoselectivity and yield in glycosylation reactions are paramount but unpredictable. We have developed a database of acceptor nucleophilic constants (Aka) to quantify the nucleophilicity of hydroxyl groups in glycosylation influenced by the steric, electronic and structural effects, providing a connection between experiments and computer algorithms. The subtle reactivity differences among the hydroxyl groups on various carbohydrate molecules can be defined by Aka, which is easily accessible by a simple and convenient automation system to assure high reproducibility and accuracy. A diverse range of glycosylation donors and acceptors with well-defined reactivity and promoters were organized and processed by the designed software program "GlycoComputer" for prediction of glycosylation reactions without involving sophisticated computational processing. The importance of Aka was further verified by random forest algorithm, and the applicability was tested by the synthesis of a Lewis A skeleton to show that the stereoselectivity and yield can be accurately estimated.

Automated Quantification of Hydroxyl Reactivities: Prediction of Glycosylation Reactions.

With a view to reducing the notorious complexity and irreproducibility of glycosylation reactions, 12 guidelines for the choice of concentration, temperature, and counterions are adumbrated.

Guidelines for O-Glycoside Formation from First Principles.

The glycosylation reaction, which is key for the studies on glycoscience, is challenging due to its complexity and intrinsic side reactions. Thioglycoside is one of the most widely used glycosyl donors in the synthesis of complex oligosaccharides. However, one of the challenges is its side reactions, which lower its yield and limits its efficiency, thereby requiring considerable effort in the optimization process. Herein, we reported a multifaceted experimental approach that reveals the behaviors of side reactions, such as the intermolecular thioaglycon transformation and N-glycosyl succinimides, via the glycosyl intermediate. Our mechanistic proposal was supported by low temperature NMR studies that can further be mapped by utilizing relative reactivity values. Accordingly, we also presented our findings to suppress the generation of side products in solving this particular problem for achieving high-yield glycosylation reactions.

Mapping Mechanisms in Glycosylation Reactions with Donor Reactivity: Avoiding Generation of Side Products.

Stereocontrolled chemical glycosylation remains a major challenge despite vast efforts reported over many decades and so far still mainly relies on trial and error. Now it is shown that the relative reactivity value (RRV) of thioglycosides is an indicator for revealing stereoselectivities according to four types of acceptors. Mechanistic studies show that the reaction is dominated by two distinct intermediates: glycosyl triflates and glycosyl halides from N-halosuccinimide (NXS)/TfOH. The formation of glycosyl halide is highly correlated with the production of α-glycoside. These findings enable glycosylation reactions to be foreseen by using RRVs as an α/β-selectivity indicator and guidelines and rules to be developed for stereocontrolled glycosylation.

Establishment of Guidelines for the Control of Glycosylation Reactions and Intermediates by Quantitative Assessment of Reactivity

Chemical synthesis is one of the practical approaches to access carbohydrate-based natural products and their derivatives with high quality and in a large quantity. However, stereoselectivity during the glycosylation reaction is the main challenge because the reaction can generate both α- and β-glycosides. The main focus of the present article is the concept of recent mechanistic studies that have applied statistical analysis and quantitation for defining stereoselective changes during the reaction process. Based on experimental evidence, a detailed discussion associated with the mechanism and degree of influence affecting the stereoselective outcome of glycosylation is included.

Mei-Huei Lin

Papers

Automated Quantification of Hydroxyl Reactivities: Prediction of Glycosylation Reactions.

Establishment of Guidelines for the Control of Glycosylation Reactions and Intermediates by Quantitative Assessment of Reactivity

Mapping Mechanisms in Glycosylation Reactions with Donor Reactivity: Avoiding Generation of Side Products.

Statistical Analysis of Glycosylation Reactions

Thiocarbonyl as a Switchable Relay-Auxiliary Group in Carbohydrate Synthesis.