Synthesis of natural β-d-(1→3)-glucopyranosyl oligosaccharides Original Research Article

β-d-(1→3)-Glucan core structure derivatives corresponding to schizophyllan, epiglucan and lentinan were synthesized efficiently. 4,6-O-Benzylidenated glucopyranosyl acceptors were found to be helpful in the attempted β-d-(1→3) bond formation. The epiglucan pentasaccharide showed a weak anti-tumor activity in preliminary mice tests.