Synthesis of bridged aza-rebeccamycin analogues

The syntheses of rebeccamycin analogues possessing a 7-azaindole moiety instead of an indole unit, and with both indole and azaindole moieties linked to the carbohydrate are described. In these bridged aza compounds, the oxygen of the pyranose heterocycle is oriented towards either the indole, or the azaindole unit. In these series, compounds bearing a free imide nitrogen were synthesized by coupling the corresponding aglycones with a sugar pre-tosylated in 2-position via a Mitsunobu reaction. To obtain a precursor for bridged aza-rebeccamycin analogues substituted in 6-position on the sugar moiety, a 2,6-ditosylated sugar was used.