β-Stereoselective mannosylations were conducted using a 1,2-anhydromannose donor and mono-ol acceptors in the presence of a glycosyl-acceptor-derived borinic ester. Reactions proceeded smoothly under mild conditions to provide the corresponding β-mannosides with high stereoselectivity in moderate to high yields. In addition, the present glycosylation method was applied successfully to the total synthesis of acremomannolipin A.

Regio- and stereoselective β-mannosylations using 1,2-anhydromannose and diol sugar acceptors in the presence of a boronic acid catalyst proceeded smoothly to give the corresponding β-mannosides with high regio- and β-stereoselectivities in high yields without further additives under mild conditions. In addition, this glycosylation method was applied successfully to the synthesis of a tetrasaccharide repeating unit of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from E. coli O75.

The total synthesis of the 20 homogeneous members of mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) with different alkyl chain lengths was effectively and systematically accomplished from a strategically designed common key intermediate that was stereoselectively constructed by the borinic acid catalyzed β-mannosylation reaction. In addition, their antibacterial activities against Gram-positive bacteria were evaluated. Our results demonstrated that not only the length of the alkyl chains but also the pattern of Ac groups on the mannose moiety were important factors for antibacterial activity.

The first direct and highly β‐stereoselective mannosylation of 1,2‐anhydromannose and mono‐ol acceptors is developed utilizing a glycosyl‐acceptor‐derived borinic ester under mild conditions is reported.