β-Mannosylation of N-acetyl glucosamine by propargyl mediated intramolecular aglycon delivery (IAD): synthesis of the N-glycan core pentasaccharide

An efficient and completely stereocontrolled synthesis of the N-glycan Manβ(1–4)GlcNAc disaccharide is achieved by propargyl mediated intramolecular aglycon delivery (IAD). Isomerisation of the 2-O-progargyl group of a manno thioglycoside to an allene is followed by iodonium ion mediated mixed acetal formation with the 4-OH of a protected GlcNAc derivative, and subsequent intramolecular glycosylation with complete control of anomeric stereochemistry. Access to this key disaccharide intermediate allows completion of the total synthesis of the core N-glycan pentasaccharide.