A family of fifteen glycoclusters based on a cyclic oligo-(1→6)-β-D-glucosamine core has been designed as potential inhibitors of the bacterial lectin LecA with various valencies (from 2 to 4) and linkers. Evaluation of their binding properties towards LecA has been performed by a combination of hemagglutination inhibition assays (HIA), enzyme-linked lectin assays (ELLA), and isothermal titration microcalorimetry (ITC). Divalent ligands displayed dissociation constants in the sub-micromolar range and tetravalent ligands displayed low nanomolar affinities for this lectin. The influence of the linker could also be demonstrated; aromatic moieties are the best scaffolds for binding to the lectin. The affinities observed in vitro were then correlated with molecular models to rationalize the possible binding modes of these glycoclusters with the bacterial lectin.

Great interest in natural furanoside-containing compounds has challenged the development of preparative methods for their synthesis. Herein a novel reaction in carbohydrate chemistry, namely a pyranoside-into-furanoside (PIF) rearrangement permitting the transformation of selectively O-substituted pyranosides into the corresponding furanosides is reported. The discovered process includes acid-promoted sulfation accompanied by rearrangement of the pyranoside ring into a furanoside ring followed by solvolytic O-desulfation. This process, which has no analogy in organic chemistry, was shown to be a very useful tool for the synthesis of furanoside-containing complex oligosaccharides, which was demonstrated by synthesizing disaccharide derivatives α-D-Galp-(1→3)-β-D-Galf-OPr, 3-O-s-lactyl-β-D-Galf-(1→3)-β-D-Glcp-OPr, and α-L-Fucf-(1→4)-β-D-GlcpA-OPr related to polysaccharides from the bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterococcus faecalis and the brown seaweed Chordaria flagelliformis.

The effect of a benzoyl group at O-3 on stereoselectivity of glycosylation by 3-O-and 3,4-di-O-benzoylated 2-O-benzyl-L-fucopyranosyl bromides was studied by direct chemical experiments and computational chemistry. The influence of a benzoyl group at O-3 of the fucosyl donors was shown to have a larger effect on the efficiency of ␣-fucosylation than a benzoyl group at O-4. It is hypothesized that this is a result of the ability of a benzoyl group at O-3 to participate in glycosyl cation stabilization.

Enterococcus faecalis is one of most important nosocomial and often multi-antibiotic resistant pathogens responsible for infections that are difficult to treat. Previously, a cell-wall polysaccharide termed diheteroglycan (DHG) was isolated and characterized as a promising vaccine candidate. However, the configuration of its lactic acid (LA) residue attached to the galactofuranoside unit was not assessed, although it influences conformation of DHG chain in terms of biological recognition and immune evasion. This study proves the R configuration of the LA residue by means of chemical analysis, investigation of intramolecular NMR nuclear Overhauser effects and molecular dynamics simulations of native DHG and corresponding R and S models, which were obtained by using pyranoside-into-furanoside rearrangement. As alternative treatment and prevention strategies for E. faecalis are desperately needed, this discovery may offer the prospect of a synthetic vaccine to actively immunize patients at risk.

The first synthesis of a series of homologous cyclic oligo‐(1→6)‐β‐D‐glucosamines consisting of two to seven residues and representing a new type of functionalized cyclic oligosaccharides is reported. Remarkably high yields of the studied macrocyclization reaction irrespective of the length of the acyclic precursors were observed. In the case of compounds constituted of four to seven glucosamine units α‐stereoisomers formed as side products despite the presence of a strongly participating 2‐N‐phthaloyl group to control β‐glycosylation. Both phenomena may be accounted for by conformational features of the linear bifunctional precursors. According to computer modeling and NMR conformational studies, the described linear (1→6)‐β‐linked oligoglucosamines exist in a right‐handed helix‐like conformation, in which the glycosyl donor and acceptor moieties are prearranged in a way that facilitates intramolecular glycosylation from the α‐side. Prepared cyclo‐oligoglucosamines differ in their conformational flexibilities, as illustrated by their spectral characteristics and calculated asphericity distributions. Moreover, the obtained compounds do not possess a distinct hydrophobic cavity, which is in contrast to the well‐known cyclodextrins. All these characteristics provide an excellent basis for the use of these novel cyclic oligosaccharides as scaffolds for the construction of biomolecular conjugates.