Homodimerization of hyaluronan and heparan sulfate derivatives by olefin metathesis reaction

Hyaluronan and heparan sulfate disaccharides of the type β-d-glucuronic acid-(1→3)-N-acetyl-β-d-glucosamine and α-l-iduronic acid-(1→4)-N-acetyl-β-d-glucosamine, respectively, with an n-pentenyl group at the reducing end have been synthesized. Homodimerization of these derivatives using Grubbs catalyst furnished dimerized disaccharides separated by a C8 spacer arm.