The synthesis of the repeating unit of the immunogenic β-Kdo-containing exopolysaccharide produced by Burkholderia pseudomallei and bacteria of the B. cepacia complex is described. The target tetrasaccharide was synthesized via stereoselective 1,2-cis- and 1,2-trans-galactosylations and β-Kdosylation. A [3 + 1] coupling reaction between a trigalactosyl N-phenyl-2,2,2-trifluoroacetimidate donor and a Kdo acceptor has been successfully achieved for the assembly of the tetrasaccharide skeleton.

3-Deoxy-β-d-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid (β-Kdo) glycosides are mainly found in capsular polysaccharides and extracellular exopolysaccharides from Gram-negative bacteria. These compounds have profound biological implications in immune response and act as virulence factors. We have developed a novel methodology for the stereoselective synthesis of β-Kdo glycosides via the use of a 4'-methoxyphenacyl (Phen) auxiliary group at the C1 position of a peracetylated β-Kdo thioglycoside. Under the promotion of NIS/AgOTf in acetonitrile, a series of Kdo glycosides was synthesized in good yield and β-selectivity while minimizing the formation of undesirable glycals. Stereoselectivity of the glycosylation was shown to be modulated by various factors such as promotor, solvent, anomeric ratio of donor, nature of acceptor, and Phen substitution. Chemoselective cleavage of the Phen group was performed under the action of Zn/HOAc. DFT calculations together with experimental results suggested that α-triflate and a six-membered α-spiroPhen are plausible intermediates of the reaction, accounting for the enhanced formation of β-Kdo glycosides. The developed methodology could be applied to the synthesis of β-Kdo-containing glycans from pathogenic bacteria.