Efficient routes to glucosamine-myo-inositol derivatives, key building blocks in the synthesis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor substances

Short synthetic routes to protected derivatives of 2-amino-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-d-myo-inositol are described. Various 2-azido-2-deoxy-glucosyl donors were synthesized, starting from d-glucal or glucosamine hydrochloride. Derivatives of 1,2- and 2,3- d-myo-inositol-camphanylidene acetals were prepared to function as glycosyl acceptors. The subsequent glycosylations produced useful building blocks for the synthesis of GPI-anchor substances.