Synthesis of a new glycosphingolipid from the marine ascidian Microcosmus sulcatus using a one-pot glycosylation strategy

A novel neutral glycosphingolipid found in Microcosmus sulcatus containing a β-d-Galp(1→4)[α-d-Fucp-(1→3)]β-d-Glcp-(1→)Cer motif was synthesized. Trisaccharide derivatives were synthesized using trimethylsilyltrifluoromethanesulfanate (TMSOTf) and N-iodosuccimide (NIS)/trifluoromethane sulfonic acid (TfOH) as the promoters. Synthesis was achieved with an efficient one-pot glycosylation strategy. This is the first report of a one-pot glycosylation strategy using the procedure of Boons et al. for the synthesis of a natural product. Coupling of trisaccharide derivative 19 and ceramide derivative 20 by TMSOTf afforded the glycosphingolipid derivative 21. The fully protected glycoside was deprotected to give the target glycosphingolipid 2.

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