Syntheses and structures of anomeric quaternary ammonium β-glucosides and comments on the anomeric C–N bond lengths

We report convenient syntheses of anomeric quaternary ammonium β-glucosides in both protected and deprotected forms, together with X-ray structural investigations of two of the products. Both the quaternisation of a protected anomeric N,N-(dimethylamino)glucose, derived in two high-yielding steps from the anomeric azide, and the direct reaction of glucose or 6-O-trityl glucose with a secondary amine, followed by protection and quaternisation, are viable routes. We also discuss the significance, in terms of stereoelectronic effects, of the observed C–N bond lengths and the stabilities of the products.