Automated solid-phase synthesis of a branched Leishmania cap tetrasaccharide.

[reaction--see text] Described is the first automated solid-phase synthesis of a branched oligosaccharide by stepwise assembly from monosaccharides. Cap tetrasaccharide 1, found as part of the cell surface lipophosphoglycan (LPG) of the protozoan parasite Leishmania, was readily prepared using glycosyl phosphate and glycosyl trichloroacetimidate building blocks.