Acceptor reactivity in glycosylation reactions

The outcome of a glycosylation reaction critically depends on the reactivity of all reaction partners involved: The donor glycoside (the electrophile), the activator (that generally provides the leaving group on the activated donor species) and the glycosyl acceptor (the nucleophile). The influence of the donor on the outcome of a glycosylation reaction is well appreciated and documented. Differences in donor reactivity have led to the development of chemoselective glycosylation reactions and the reactivity of donor glycosides has been tuned to affect stereoselective glycosylation reactions. The quantification of donor reactivity has enabled the conception of streamlined one-pot glycosylation sequences. In contrast, although it has long been known that the nature and the reactivity of the nucleophile influence the outcome of a glycosylation, the knowledge of acceptor reactivity and insight into the consequences thereof are often circumstantial or anecdotal. This review documents how the reactivity impacts the glycosylation reaction outcome both in terms of chemical yield and stereoselectivity. The effect of acceptor nucleophilicity on the reaction mechanism is described and steric, conformational and electronic influences are outlined. Quantitative and computational approaches to comprehend acceptor nucleophilicity are assessed. The increasing insight into the stereoelectronic effects governing glycoside reactivity will eventually enable the conception of effective stereoselective glycosylation methodology that can be tuned to the reaction partners at hand

Mapping the effect of configuration and protecting group pattern on glycosyl acceptor reactivity

The reactivity of the acceptor alcohol can have a tremendous influence on the outcome of a glycosylation reaction, both in terms of yield and stereoselectivity. Through a systematic survey of 67 acceptor alcohols in glycosylation reactions with two glucosyl donors we here reveal how the reactivity of a carbohydrate acceptor depends on its configuration and substitution pattern. The study shows how the functional groups flanking the acceptor alcohol influence the reactivity of the alcohol and show that both the nature and relative orientation play an essential role. The empiric acceptor reactivity guidelines revealed here will aid in the rational optimization of glycosylation reactions and be an important tool in the assembly of oligosaccharides

Surface PEG Grafting Density Determines Magnetic Relaxation Properties of Gd-Loaded Porous Nanoparticles for MR Imaging Applications

Surface PEGylation of nanoparticles designed for biomedical applications is a common and straightforward way to stabilize the materials for in vivo administration and to increase their circulation time. This strategy becomes less trivial when MRI active porous nanomaterials are concerned as their function relies on water/proton-exchange between the pores and bulk water. Here we present a comprehensive study on the effects of PEGylation on the relaxometric properties of nanozeolite LTL (dimensions of 20 × 40 nm) ion-exchanged with paramagnetic GdIII ions. We evidence that as long as the surface grafting density of the PEG chains does not exceed the “mushroom” regime (conjugation of up to 6.2 wt % of PEG), Gd-LTL retains a remarkable longitudinal relaxivity (38 s–1 mM–1 at 7 T and 25 °C) as well as the pH-dependence of the longitudinal and transverse relaxation times. At higher PEG content, the more compact PEG layer (brush regime) limits proton/water diffusion and exchange between the interior of LTL and the bulk, with detrimental consequences on relaxivity. Furthermore, PEGylation of Gd-LTL dramatically decreases the leakage of toxic GdIII ions in biological media and in the presence of competing anions, which together with minimal cytotoxicity renders these materials promising probes for MRI applications.BT/Biocatalysi

Simulation of CFRP components subjected to dynamic crash loads

This paper deals with the investigation of a numerical simulation method to appropriately represent relevant failure mechanisms of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) components subjected to dynamic crash loads. The presented work considers the stacked shell approach, using a stack of continuum shell elements and cohesive elements, and focuses on the calibration of simulation input parameters. Furthermore, modeling aspects are discussed to reduce mesh-dependencies for the simulation of progressive crushing. The validation of the numerical approach is performed on the basis of an extensive test program of CFRP crush absorbers on the structural level. The capability of current state-of-the-art technologies for the simulation of progressive crushing is identified. The simulations capture general failure effects and force-displacement characteristics for different designs and loading conditions. Drawbacks are identified in the definition of cohesive input parameters to obtain numerical stability for complex loading conditions. The numerical simulations were performed using the commercial finite element software Abaqus/Explicit

Characterization of Glycosyl Dioxolenium Ions and Their Role in Glycosylation Reactions

Controlling the chemical glycosylation reaction remains the major challenge in the synthesis of oligosaccharides. Though 1,2-trans glycosidic linkages can be installed using neighboring group participation, the construction of 1,2-cis linkages is difficult and has no general solution. Long-range participation (LRP) by distal acyl groups may steer the stereoselectivity, but contradictory results have been reported on the role and strength of this stereoelectronic effect. It has been exceedingly difficult to study the bridging dioxolenium ion intermediates because of their high reactivity and fleeting nature. Here we report an integrated approach, using infrared ion spectroscopy, DFT calculations and a systematic series of glycosylation reactions to probe these ions in detail. Our study reveals how distal acyl groups can play a decisive role in shaping the stereochemical outcome of a glycosylation reaction and opens new avenues to exploit these species in the assembly of oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates to fuel biological researc

Characterization of glycosyl dioxolenium ions and their role in glycosylation reactions

Controlling the chemical glycosylation reaction remains the major challenge in the synthesis of oligosaccharides. Though 1,2-trans glycosidic linkages can be installed using neighboring group participation, the construction of 1,2-cis linkages is difficult and has no general solution. Long-range participation (LRP) by distal acyl groups may steer the stereoselectivity, but contradictory results have been reported on the role and strength of this stereoelectronic effect. It has been exceedingly difficult to study the bridging dioxolenium ion intermediates because of their high reactivity and fleeting nature. Here we report an integrated approach, using infrared ion spectroscopy, DFT computations, and a systematic series of glycosylation reactions to probe these ions in detail. Our study reveals how distal acyl groups can play a decisive role in shaping the stereochemical outcome of a glycosylation reaction, and opens new avenues to exploit these species in the assembly of oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates to fuel biological research