Cluster glycosides and heteroglycoclusters presented in alternative arrangements

Multivalent carbohydrates, or glycoclusters, are useful tools to study glycan-lectin and glycan-enzyme recognition processes and have wide potential therapeutic applicability. Herein, we report the synthesis of novel glycoclusters presenting glucopyranose units in alternate arrangements by coupling through the C-1, C-2, C-3 or C-6 sugar positions and using tetra- and hexa-valent scaffolds for multivalent display. Coupling the appropriate azide-functionalised D-glucopyranose units with alkynylated penta- or dipenta-erythritol central cores was accomplished via copper-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC), yielding a panel of eight tetra- and hexa-valent glycoclusters in good yields (52–83%). This click chemistry strategy was extended to the preparation of four heteroglycoclusters using a tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane (TRIS) central scaffold. One unit of either the conventional 1-deoxy-D-nojirymicin iminosugar or its’ C-5 epimeric L-gulo isomer, were incorporated along with three D-glucopyranose units linked through either C-1 or C-6.