A convenient synthesis of the core trisaccharide of the N-glycans

A convenient synthesis of the core trisaccharide of the N-glycans was described. Orthogonal one-pot glycosylation of three monosaccharide building blocks was performed to furnish β-glucosyl chitobiose, which was then transformed to β-mannosyl chitobiose by intramolecular epimerization of the C-2 position of the β-glucoside. The key glucosyl donor 7c with differentiated 2,3-OH was prepared following the 4,6-O-benzylidene-protected 1,2-orthoester strategy.