Synthetic study on neoponkoranol and its side chain epimer as potent α-glucosidase inhibitors, optimization of protecting group

Coupling reaction between thiosugar and triflate as the key protocol to synthesize neoponkoranol, a naturally occurring potent α-glucosidase inhibitor, and its related sulfonium salts was optimized by applying different esters as protecting group, with the yields of desired products being greatly improved. Our proposed mechanism of the coupling reaction indicated that the nucleophilicity of C3-hydroxyl moiety on monosaccharide structure is closely related to the reaction mode.