Synthesis of neoglycosphingolipid from methoxyamino-functionalized ceramide.

An efficient approach for the synthesis of a methoxyamino-functionalized ceramide was established from phytosphingosine using specific Nβ→Nα acyl migration of the octadecanoyl group during the removal of Nα-Fmoc protective group. One step glycoblotting reaction of the ceramide mimic with lactose afforded a neoglycosphingolipid showing potent inhibitory activity against recombinant endoglycoceramidase II from Rhodococcus sp.