Stereoselective synthesis of alpha- and beta-glycosylamide derivatives from glycopyranosyl azides via isoxazoline intermediates.

Treatment of 2-acetoxy glycopyranosyl azides with Ph3P gave isoxazolines by ring closure of the phosphorimine. Coupling of in situ generated isoxazolines with acylating reagents gave mixtures of alpha- or beta-glycopyranosyl amides. The alpha/beta ratio depended upon the acylating reagent and metal salts employed. For example, coupling of isoxazoline 3 with Z-Asp-(SPy)-OBn in the presence of CuCl2 gave exclusively alpha-N-glucopyranosylasparagine derivative 8. This general procedure has been applied to mono-, di-, and trisaccharide systems.