Fine‐tuning the conditions for a tandem reaction using a single catalyst in a single reaction vessel leads to carbohydrate building blocks displaying different patterns of protecting groups (see picture). This process greatly simplifies the access to oligomers, as illustrated by the rapid assembly of a trisaccharide.

The first convergent total synthesis of isobongkrekic acid is reported involving three different stereospecific palladium cross-couplings for the formation of the diene units. Access to bongkrekic acid by this route is also demonstrated. These syntheses involve the formation of several potentially general building blocks.

No abstract