An amide orthoesterification route to N-(1′-alkylthioglucopyranosyl)indoles

The addition of 3-methylindolylmagnesium bromide to tetra-O-benzyl-α-d-gluconothionolactone yields the expected indole N-gluconothioamide as its hemiorthothioamide tautomer. The thiol function is alkylated to yield the corresponding orthothioamide, a 1′-alkylthio-substituted N-glycoside. Alternatively, the 1′-alkylthio-N-glycoside can be accessed from the corresponding indole N-gluconamide via a boron trifluoride-etherate mediated orthoesterification with ethanethiol. Radical reduction of the orthothioamide yields the N-glycosides in 2:1 stereoselectivity in favor of the β-N-glycoside, while reduction via the oxonium ion leads to an improved 6:1 selectivity.