The synthesis of complex oligosaccharides
is often hindered by
a lack of knowledge on the reactivity and selectivity of their constituent
building blocks. We investigated the reactivity and selectivity of
2-azidofucosyl (FucN3) donors, valuable synthons in the
synthesis of 2-acetamido-2-deoxyfucose (FucNAc) containing oligosaccharides.
Six FucN3 donors, bearing benzyl, benzoyl, or tert-butyldimethylsilyl protecting groups at the C3-O and C4-O positions, were synthesized, and their
reactivity was assessed in a series of glycosylations using acceptors
of varying nucleophilicity and size. It was found that more reactive
nucleophiles and electron-withdrawing benzoyl groups on the donor
favor the formation of β-glycosides, while poorly reactive nucleophiles
and electron-donating protecting groups on the donor favor α-glycosidic
bond formation. Low-temperature NMR activation studies of Bn- and
Bz-protected donors revealed the formation of covalent FucN3 triflates and oxosulfonium triflates. From these results, a mechanistic
explanation is offered in which more reactive acceptors preferentially
react via an SN2-like pathway, while less reactive acceptors
react via an SN1-like pathway. The knowledge obtained in
this reactivity study was then applied in the construction of α-FucN3 linkages relevant to bacterial saccharides. Finally, a modular
synthesis of the Staphylococcus aureus type 5 capsular
polysaccharide repeating unit, a trisaccharide consisting of two FucNAc
units, is described.