Phase-transfer catalysis (PTC) is widely used in glycochemistry for the preparation of aryl glycosides by the glycosylation reaction. While investigating the possibility of synthesis of 4-(3-chloropropoxy)phenyl sialoside (Neu5Ac-OCPP) from N-acetylsialyl chloride with O-acetyl groups (1), we have recently discovered a strong dependence of the PTC glycosylation outcome on the mixing mode: under batch conditions, only α-anomer of Neu5Ac-OCPP was obtained, albeit in low yield (13%), while under microfluidic conditions the yield of Neu5Ac-OCPP increased to 36%, although stereoselectivity decreased (α/β ≤ 6.2). Here, we report that the outcome of this reaction, performed under microfluidic conditions using a Comet X-01 micromixer (at 2 μL/min flow rate), non-linearly depends on the concentration of N-acetylsialyl chloride 1 (5–200 mmol/L). The target Neu5Ac-OCPP was obtained in a noticeably higher yield (up to 66%) accompanied by enhanced stereoselectivity (α/β = 17:1–32:1) in the high concentration range (C > 50 mmol/L), whereas the yield (10–36%) and especially, stereoselectivity (α/β = 0.9:1–6.2:1) were lower in the low concentration range (C ≤ 50 mmol/L). This dramatic stepwise increase in stereoselectivity above critical concentration (50 mmol/L) is apparently related to the changes in the presentation of molecules on the surface of supramers of glycosyl donor, which exist in different concentration ranges.
Phase transfer catalysis (PTC) is widely used for the preparation of anomerically pure aryl glycosides by glycosylation of phenols with glycosyl halides. Here, we attempted to synthesize 4‐(3‐chloropropoxy)phenyl (CPP) sialoside – a useful Janus glycoside for neoglycoconjugate synthesis. A batch glycosylation reaction under typical PTC conditions (N‐acetylsialyl chloride, 4‐(3‐chloropropoxy)phenol, Bu4NHSO4, AcOEt, 10 % aq Na2CO3) resulted in formation of CPP sialoside as a single anomer, albeit in low yield. Conversely, the PTC glycosylation in flow using Comet X‐01 micromixer doubled the yield of CPP sialoside, which was obtained as a mixture of anomers suggesting the change in the reaction mechanism apparently induced by the change in mixing mode. An increase in flow rate led to further loss of stereoselectivity while the use of T‐shaped mixer increased stereoselectivity. Similar results were obtained for N,N‐diacetylsialyl chloride and two other para‐alkoxy‐substituted phenols suggesting generality of the discovered phenomenon.
The Cover Feature allegorizes differently arranged long‐lived supramolecular structures (supramers), formed from reagent molecules in the reaction solution, as different groups of dancers holding hands. The supramer hypothesis has been invoked to rationally discuss the experimentally observed change in reaction mechanism induced by the change in mixing mode. Cover design by Maria Panova. More information can be found in the Research Article by L. O. Kononov et al.
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