Synthesis of the repeating trisaccharide unit of the cell wall lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli type 8

NIS/TfOH mediated glycosidation of methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranoside with phenyl 2-O-acetyl-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-1-thio-α-d-mannopyranoside furnished the corresponding disaccharide derivative in excellent yield and α-selectivity. Zémplen deacetylation of the same followed by reaction with BSP/Tf2O-preactivated phenyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-2,3-di-O-benzyl-1-thio-α-d-mannopyranoside generated methyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-2,3-di-O-benzyl-β-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranoside in very good yield and excellent β-selectivity. Pd/C catalyzed hydrogenation of the latter finally afforded the repeating trisaccharide of Escherichia coli 8 O-antigen as its methyl glycoside.