Synthesis of Glycosyl Esters and Glycosyl Hemiacetals From Methylthioglycosides

Abstract
Glycosyl esters constitute a widespread family of natural products such as anti-tumor agents,1 antibiotics,2 terpenoid glycosides,3 plant pigments4 and other substances.5 It has been shown that aromatic carboxylic acids are metabolized by humans as glycosyl esters,6 and D-glucopyranosyl fatty acid esters were found to inhibit the growth of leukemia cells7 and plant growth.8 The synthesis of a prodrug in the g form of a glycosyl ester has been reported.9 In synthetic chemistry glycosyl acetates are frequently used glycosyl donors in Lewis-acid catalyzed glycosylation reactions10 and other transformations.11