Rapid and efficient microwave-assisted synthesis of highly sulfated organic scaffolds.

Sulfation of multiply hydroxylated small organic molecules is fraught with problems of poor yield, multitude of products and long reaction times. We have developed a rapid microwave-based method for synthesis of highly sulfated small organic molecules, which affords the per-sulfated product in moderate to excellent yields and high purity. The method is expected to be of value in the discovery of per-sulfated organic molecules as mimics of glycosaminoglycans, which are being increasingly recognized as modulators of key physiological functions.