Stereoselective synthesis of oligo-alpha-(2,8)-sialic acids.

An efficient and elegant synthesis of alpha(2,8)-oligosialosides is described. The 5-N,4-O-carbonyl-protected sialyl donor undergoes alpha-sialylation in CH2Cl2 to give alpha(2,8)- and alpha(2,9)-disialosides in excellent yields. The 5-N,4-O-carbonyl protecting group was effective in improving the reactivity of the C8 hydroxyl groups toward glycosylation. Using the sialyl building block, the synthesis of tetra-alpha(2,8)-sialic acid was accomplished by using a simple glycosidation and deprotection protocol.