On the stereoselectivity of glycosidation of thiocyanates, thioimidates, and thioglycosides

Comparative side-by-side glycosylation studies demonstrated that glycosyl thiocyanates, thioimidates, and thioglycosides provide comparative stereoselectivities in glycosylations. Very high alpha-stereoselectivity that was previously recorded for glycosyl thiocyanates can be achieved, but only if glycosyl acceptors are equipped with electron-withdrawing acyl substituents. Partially benzylated glycosyl acceptors provided relatively modest stereoselectivity, which was on a par with other common glycosyl donors. Accordingly, thioimidates and thioglycosides showed high stereoselectivity similarly to that of thiocyanates with different classes of acylated primary and secondary glycosyl acceptors. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.