RCM as a tool to freeze conformation of monosaccharides: synthesis of a β-mannopyranoside mimic adopting a conformation close to the biologically relevant B2,5 boat

The synthesis of a β-d-mannopyranoside analog, fully identical to the naturally occurring d-mannopyranose in terms of hydroxyl pattern, and displaying a skew-boat conformation close to a B2,5 boat strongly believed to be adopted by the oxycarbenium transition state during glycosidic bond cleavage of β-mannane by family 26 β-mannanase, is described. The conformationally locked analog has been obtained by tethering the C-2 and C-5 carbon atoms of the sugar ring with a three carbon bridge using RCM methodology. Conformation of the mannose analog has been confirmed by NMR and molecular modelling.