Simple and efficient synthesis of O-unprotected glycosyl thiourea and isourea derivatives from glycosylamines

Practical, facile and high-yielding one-pot syntheses of different O-unprotected glycopyranosyl thioureas and thioureido bolaamphiphiles (two-step synthesis) and of 2-amino-4,5-dihydro-(1,2-dideoxy-β-d-glucopyranoso)[1,2-d]oxazoles (three-step synthesis) from glycopyranosylamines are reported. The method involves the preparation of O-unprotected β-d-gluco (and d-galacto)pyranosyl isothiocyanates which are in equilibrium with the corresponding 1,2-cyclic thiocarbamates, coupling with amines to afford glycosyl thioureas and treatment with yellow mercury (II) oxide to give trans-fused bicyclic isoureas. A d-gluco trehazolin analogue is prepared in this way. In situ transformation of N,N-dialkyl, N′-glucopyranosyl thioureas into the corresponding ureas is also reported.