An improved method for synthesizing antennary β-d-mannopyranosyl disaccharide units

The merits of an indirect protecting method for hydroxyl groups using allyl groups via allyloxycarbonyl groups in the synthesis of antennary β-d-mannopyranosyl disaccharides from β-d-galactopyranosyl disaccharides were studied. Regioselective allyloxycarbonylation and conversion reactions involving simultaneous double SN2 nucleophilic substitution at C-2′ and C-4′ of benzyl O-[β-d-galactopyranosyl]-(1-4)-3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-2-N-phthalimido-β-d-glucopyranoside were examined for comparison with the direct allylation method. The required β-d-mannopyranosyl disaccharide having proper protecting groups was obtained using this indirect method in 52% yield. In contrast, the reported direct allylation method using methyl O-(β-d-galactopyranosyl) disaccharide gave the corresponding β-d-mannopyranosyl disaccharide in only 7.5% yield.