Sialylation reactions with N,N-dibenzylthiosialoside donor

A new sialyl donor, N,N-dibenzyl-protected p-toluenethiosialoside, was synthesized and its sialylation reaction was investigated. This reaction proceeded in a preactivation manner and preferred to provide β-anomeric coupling products. The β-selectivity was rationalized based on the assumption that N,N-dibenzylamino group could serve as an oriented group to activate the hydroxyl group of acceptor from β-face.