Here we describe the efficient and facile synthesis of N-acetyl glucosamine propargyl O-glycoside, a compound which has been prepared previously by conventional methods.1 In previous syntheses the glycoside was obtained as a mixture of anomers1a) and in moderate to acceptable yield1b). The described improved method exploits a high yielding and strongly β-selective lanthanide triflate catalysed2 glycosylation reaction. In addition to reaction efficiency the method is characterised by its simplicity and facile compound isolation and purification.
The propargyl O-glycoside was prepared for its subsequent use in Cu(I) catalysed protein modification reactions.3
See figure in Figures section.