Synthesis ofα-D-GlcpNAc-（1→2）-[α-D-ManpNAc-（1→3）-]α-L-Rhap-（1→2）-α-L-Rhap-（1→3）-α-L-Rhap,the repeating unit of O10 antigen from Acinetobacter baumannii

An efficient synthesis ofα-D-GlcpNAc-（1→2）-[α-D-ManpNAc-（1→3）-]α-L-Rhap-（1→2）-α-L-Rhap-（1→3）-α-L-Rhap（1）, the repeating unit of the O10 antigen from Acinetobacter baumannii was achieved via sequential assembly of the building blocks,p- methoxylphenyl 2,4-di-O-benzoyl-α-L-rhamnopyranoside（2）;2-O-allyloxycarbonyl-3,4-di-O-bcnzoyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl tri- chloroacetimidate（3）;4-methoxylphenyl 3-O-allyloxycarbonyl-4-O-benzoyl-α-L-rhanmopyranoside（4）;2-azido-3-O-benzoyl-2- deoxy-4,6-O-isopropylidene-α-D-mannopyranosyl trichloroacetirnidatc（5）;2-azido-3,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-α,β-D-glucopyr- ano syl trichloroacetimidatc（6）.The total yield of 1 from 4 was 4.7%.     

海枫藤中C21甾体苷的分离和结构测定

从萝摩科植物海枫藤[Marsdenia officinalis Tsiang et P.T.Li.]的藤茎中分离得到四个C21甾体去氧糖苷(1)～(4). 通过化学降解和波谱技术, 确定它们的化学结构依次为: 12-O-桂皮酰基-20-O-乙酰基(20S)-孕甾烷-6-烯-3β,5α,8β,12β,14β, 17β,20-庚醇 3-O-甲基-6-去氧-β-D-阿洛吡喃糖基-(1→4)-β-D-夹竹桃吡喃糖基-(1→4)-β-D-磁麻吡喃糖苷(1), 12-O-桂皮酰基-20-O-乙酰基(20S)-孕甾烷-6-烯-3β,5α,8β,12β,14β,17β,20-庚醇3-O-β-D-葡萄吡喃糖基-(1→4)-3-O-甲基-6-去氧-β-D-阿洛吡喃糖基-(1→4)-β-D-磁麻吡喃糖基-(1→4)-β-D-磁麻吡喃糖苷(2), 12-O-桂皮酰基-20-O-乙酰基(20S)-孕甾烷-6- 烯-3β,5α,8β,12β,14β,17β,20-庚醇3-O-β-D-黄夹吡喃糖基-(1→4)-β-D-磁麻吡喃糖基-(1→4)-β-D-磁麻吡喃糖苷(3), 12-O-烟酰基-肉珊瑚苷元3-O-β-D-葡萄吡喃糖基-(1→4)-3-O-甲基-6-去氧-β-D-阿洛吡喃糖基-(1→4)-β-D-夹竹桃吡喃糖基- (1→4)-β-D-磁麻吡喃糖基-(1→4)-β-D-磁麻吡喃糖苷(4). 其中1和2为新化合物, 分别命名为haifengtenoside A, haifengtenoside B, 3和4分别为已知化合物mucronatoside H 和 hainaneosides A, 系首次从该植物中分离得到.     

Synthesis of mono- and di-α-l-fucosylated 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-N-glycyl-β-d-glucopyranosylamines,spacered fragments of glycans of N-glycoproteins

Russian Chemical Bulletin - α-l-Fucp-(1→3)-d-GlcNAc, α-l-Fucp-(1→6)-[α-l-Fucp-(1→3)]-d-GlcNAc, and β-d-Galp-(1→3)-[α-l-Fucp-(1→4)]-d-GlcNAc...     

Enzymatic synthesis and the structure elucidation of novel trisaccharides comprised of D-galactose,N-acetyl-D-glucosamine,and D-fructose

Enzymatic synthesis of trisaccharides from N-acetylsucrosamine and lactose utilizing the transgalactosylation activity of Aspergillus oryzae β-galactosidase provided two reaction products. Structure analyses by various 2D NMR spectroscopy and MS indicated that the products were β-D-fructofuranosyl β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→6)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside and β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-fructofuranosyl-(2?1)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside. Moreover, J-resolved-HMBC experiments indicated that the conformations around the glycosidic bonds of these trisaccharides were very similar. Examination about the pH and thermal stabilities of the glycosidic bonds in the GlcNAc–Fru moiety of the two trisaccharides indicated apparent difference.     

Synthesis of di-and tetrasaccharide containing 6-deoxytalose from the O-antigenic polysaccharide of B. pseudomallei strain 304b

Synthesis of the disaccharide β-D-Glup-(1→3)-6-deoxy-α-L-Talp Ⅱ,and its dimer Ⅲ from the O-antigenic polysaccharide of Burkholderia pseudomallei strain 304b,were achieved through assembly of suitably synthesized building blocks,4-methoxylphenyl 6-deoxy-2,4-di-O-benzoyl-α-L-talopyranoside (7),3-O-allyl-2,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-α,β-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (8) and 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzoyi-α,β-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (Ⅱ).The total yield of Ⅲ from 4-methoxyiphenyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (1) was 18%.     

Synthesis of the Methyl Glycosides of a Di- and Two Trisaccharide Fragments Specific for the Shigella flexneri Serotype 2a O-Antigen

ABSTRACT

The stereocontrolled synthesis of methyl α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (EC, 1), methyl α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-[α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (B(E)C, 3) and methyl α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranoside (ECD, 4) is described; these constitute the methyl glycosides of branched and linear fragments of the O-specific polysaccharide of Shigella flexneri serotype 2a. Emphasis was put on the construction of the 1,2-cis EC glycosidic linkage resulting in the selection of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl fluoride (8) as the donor. Condensation of methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-4-O-trimethylsilyl-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (11) and 8 afforded the fully protected αE-disaccharide 20, as a common intermediate in the synthesis of 1 and 3, together with the corresponding βE-anomer 21. Deacetalation and regioselective benzoylation of 20, followed by glycosylation with 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (15) afforded the branched trisaccharide 25. Full deprotection of 20 and 25 afforded the targets 1 and 3, respectively. The corresponding βE-disaccharide, namely, methyl β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (βEC, 2) was prepared analogously from 21. Two routes to trisaccharide 4 were considered. Route 1 involved the coupling of a precursor to residue E and a disaccharide CD. Route 2 was based on the condensation of an appropriate EC donor and a precursor to residue D. The former route afforded a 1:2 mixture of the αE and βE condensation products which could not be separated, neither at this stage, nor after deacetalation. In route 2, the required αE-anomer was isolated at the disaccharide stage and transformed into 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-2,3-di-O-benzoyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (48) as the EC donor. Methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4,6-O-isopropylidene-β-D-glucopyran-oside (19) was preferred to its benzylidene analogue as the precursor to residue D. Condensation of 19 and 48 and stepwise deprotection of the glycosylation product afforded the target 4.     

arabinonucleosides

The α-D-arabinonucleosides of cytosine ( 6 ) and 5-fluorouracil ( 9 ) were prepared from the 2,3,-5-tri-O-benzoyl-D-arabinofuranosyl halides, in keeping with the trans rule. The 2′-O-methyl-)3-D-arabinonucleosides of 5-fluorouraeil (β- 14 ) and adenine (β- 21a ) were prepared from 3,5-di-O-(4-ehlorobenzoyl)-2-O-methyl-α-D-arabinofuranosyl chloride, although in both cases a lesser amount of the α-anomer was also found. Reaction of 3,5-di-O-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-2-deoxy-2-(methylthio)-α-D-arabinofuranosyl chloride, prepared in four steps from methyl 2,3-anhydro-α-D-ribofurano-side ( 15 ), with N-benzoyladenine gave slightly more of the β- than the α-arabinonucleoside 20b . The β-anomer was converted to 9-[2-deoxy-2-(methylthio)-β-D-arabinofuranosyl]adenine. Only 1-α-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine ( 6 ) proved to be cytotoxic.     

Preparation of 2-Azido-4-O-benzoyl-2,6-dideoxy-3-O-methyl-β-D-allopyranose and Its Disaccharide Derivative

Abstract

2-Azido-4-O-benzoyl-2,6-dideoxy-3-O-methyl-D-allopyranose, needed as one of the building blocks for construction of a novel cyclodextrin-like compound, was prepared in the form of crystalline β-anomer 6 from methyl 2-azido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-α-D-allopyranoside 1. As a model of α-glycosidation necessary for formation of a cyclic structure, 6 was converted into the corresponding β-glycosyl trichloroacetimidate and coupled with methyl 6-O-benzyl-2,3-di-O-methyl-α-D-glucopyranoside 8, giving α(1→4)-linked disaccharide derivative 9.     

Stereocontrolled Synthesis of 6′-Deoxy-6′-Fluoro Derivatives of Methyl α-Sophoroside, α-Laminaribioside, α-Kojibioside and α-Nigeroside

Abstract

Sequential tritylation, benzoylation and detritylation of D-glucose, followed by resolution of the crude product by chromatograpEy gave crystalline 1,2,3,4-tetra-O-benzoyl-α- (1) and β-D-glucopyranose (2). Compound 1, 2, and the corresponding methyl α-glycoside 5 were treated with dimethylaminosulfur trifluoride (methyl DAST) to give, respectively, the 6-deoxy-6-fluoro derivatives 3, 4, and 6. Crystalline 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-6-deoxy-6-fluoro-α-D-glucopyranosyl chloride (10) could be obtained from either 3, 4, or 5 by reaction with dichloromethyl methyl ether in the presence of anhydrous zinc chloride. Silver trifluoromethanesulfonate-promoted reaction of 10 with methyl 2-O-(9) and 3-O-benzyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-D-glucopyranoside (8) gave the corresponding, (β-linked disaccharidës in high yield. Subsequent deprotection afforded the 6′-deoxy-6′-fluoro derivatives of methyl α-sophoroside (13) and methyl 6′ -deoxy-o′-fluoro-α-laminaribioside (16). Condensation of 8 and 9 with 6-O-acetyl-2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl chloride in the presence of silver perchlorate was highly stereoselective and produced the α-linked disaccharidës 17 and 21, respectively, in excellent yield. Deacetylation of 17 and 21, followed by fluorination of the resulting alcohols 18 and 22 with methyl DAST and subsequent hydrogenolysis, gave 6′-deoxy-6′-fluoro derivatives of methyl α-kojibioside and methyl α-nigeroside 20 and 24, respectively.     

Synthesis of Oligosaccharides Designed to form Micelles,Corresponding to Structures Found in Ovarian Cyst Fluid

ABSTRACT

The syntheses of α-D-GlcpNAc-(1→4)-β-D-Galp-(1→4)-β-D-GlcNAc-(1→O)-(CH₂)₁₅CH₃ (1) and fragments thereof, corresponding to structures found in human ovarian cyst fluid, are described. Silver triflate promoted coupling of 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl bromide (12) and galactose acceptor (11) gave a disaccharide donor (13), which was readily transformed into the corresponding bromo-derivative 18. For the synthesis of disaccharide β-D-Galp-(1→4)-D-GlcNAc, several differently protected glucosamine acceptors were prepared. It was found that cetyl alcohol needed to be introduced after the formation of the β-galactoside bond. Glycosylation of pent-4-enyl 3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-2-tetrachlorophthalimido-β-D-glucopyranoside (30) with (3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1→4)-2,3,6-tri-O-benzoyl-α-D-galactopyranosyl bromide (18) by use of silver triflate as promoter gave the desired trisaccharide 31. Finally 31 was transformed via coupling to the long alkyl chain aglycon and deprotection into the title compound 1.     

Selectively Deoxygenated Derivatives of β-Maltosyl-(1→4)-Trehalose as Biological Probes

ABSTRACT

The four derivatives of β-maltosyl-(1→4)-trehalose have been synthesized, which are monodeoxygenated at the site of one of the primary hydroxyl groups. The tetrasaccharides were constructed in [2+2] block syntheses. Thus, 6′″-deoxy-β-maltosyl-(1→4)-trehalose was prepared by selective iodination of allyl 2,3,6,2′,3′-penta-O-acetyl-β-maltoside (3) followed by catalytic hydrogenolysis and coupling with 2,3-di-O-benzyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-D-glucopyranosyl 2′,3′,6′-tri-O-benzyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (9), and 6″-deoxy-β-maltosyl-(1→4)-trehalose by selective iodination of allyl 4′,6′-O-isopropylidene-β-maltoside (14), coupling with 9, and one-step hydrogenolysis at the tetrasaccharide level. For the synthesis of 6′-deoxy-β-maltosyl-(1→4)-trehalose, the diol 2,3-di-O-benzyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-D-glucopyranosyl 2′,3′-di-O-benzyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (22) was selectively iodinated and glycosylated with acetobromomaltose followed by catalytic hydrogenolysis. The 6-deoxy-β-maltosyl-(1→4)-trehalose was obtained upon selective iodination of a tetrasaccharide diol.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of a 2-Bromo-6-Hydroxypurine Nucleoside

Condensation of 2-bromo-6-hydroxypurine (1) with 2-deoxy-3, 5-di-O-p-toluoyl-α-D-ribofuranosyl chloride (2) under different conditions gave stereoselective synthesis of the α-and β-anomers (3 and 4) of the fully protected 2-deoxyribonucleoside. The ratio of anomeric nucleosides was found to be dependent on solvent. Condensation in DMF led to the formation of the β-anomer in good yield (75%) which represents a significant improvement over earlier procedures. The separated α- and β-anomers (3 and 4) were identified by their NMR spectra.     

Synthesis of Two Isomeric Tetrasaccharides 0-α-L-Fucopyranosyl-(1→3) and (1→4)-0-(2-Acetamido-2-Deoxy-β-D-Glucopyranosyl)-(1→3)-0-(β-D-Galactopyranosyl)-(1→4)-D-Glucopyranose and a Related Tetrasaccharide 0-α-L-Fucopyranosyl-(1→3)-0-(2-Acetamido-2-Deoxy-β-D-Glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-0-(β-D-Galactopyranosyl)-(1→4)-D-Glucopyranose

ABSTRACT

Synthesis of three tetrasaccharides, namely, 0-α-L-fucopyranosyl-(1→3)-0-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1→3)-0-(β-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranose (7), 0-α-L-fucopyranosyl-(1→4)-0-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1→3)-0-(β-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1→4)-D-glucopyranose (9), and 0-α-L-fucopyransoyl-(1→3)-0-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyransoyl)-(1→6)-0-(β-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1→4)-D-glucopyranose (15) has been described. Their structures have been established by ¹³C NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis of LeX and LeY Oligosaccharides with Azido-Type Spacer-Arms. Comparison of 3- and 4-Methoxybenzyl Groups as Key Temporary Protective Groups

Abstract

5-Azido-3-oxa-l-pentanol was prepared from 2-(2-chloroethoxy)ethanol and used as a spacer in the chemical synthesis of the trisaccharide β-D-Gal-(1→4)-[α-L-Fuc-(1→3)]-GlcNAc and the tetrasaccharide α-L-Fuc-α-(1→2)-β-D-Gal-(1→4)-[α-L-Fuc-(1→3)]-GlcNAc that represent the epitopes defining the human blood groups Le^x and Le^y. The classical 4-methoxybenzyl group and the remarably acid-stable 3-methoxybenzyl group were compared as temporary protective groups for position 3 at the glucosamine unit to circumvent the problems associated with the simultaneous presence of allyl and azido groups. The resulting oligosaccharides were coupled to proteins with high efficiency.

     

Synthesis of an aryl 2-deoxy-β-glycosyl tetrasaccharide to probe retaining endo-glycosidase mechanism

The synthesis of the 1,3–1,4-β-glucanase substrate analogue 4-nitrophenyl O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-2-desoxi-β-d-glucopyranoside 2 is reported. Starting from the main tetrasaccharide obtained by enzymatic depolymerization of barley β-glucan, the synthetic scheme involves preparation of the corresponding 3-O-substituted glycal which was converted into a 2-deoxy-α-glycosyl iodide as a glycosyl donor. The key glycosylation step was successfully achieved by nucleophilic substitution of the iodide donor with 4-nitrophenolate with high β-selectivity.     

Mannosazide methyl uronate donors. Glycosylating properties and use in the construction of β-ManNAcA-containing oligosaccharides

Mannosazide methyl uronate donors equipped with a variety of anomeric leaving groups (β- and α-S-phenyl, β- and α-N-phenyltrifluoroacetimidates, hydroxyl, β-sulfoxide, and (R(s))- and (S(s))-α-sulfoxides) were subjected to activating conditions, and the results were monitored by (1)H NMR. While the S-phenyl and imidate donors all gave a conformational mixture of anomeric α-triflates, the hemiacetal and β- and α-sulfoxides produced an oxosulfonium triflate and β- and α-sulfonium bistriflates, respectively. The β-S-phenyl mannosazide methyl uronate performed best in both activation experiments and glycosylation studies and provided the 1,2-cis mannosidic linkage with excellent selectivity. Consequently, an α-Glc-(1→4)-β-ManN(3)A-SPh disaccharide, constructed by the stereoselective glycosylation of a 6-O-Fmoc-protected glucoside and β-S-phenyl mannosazide methyl uronate, was used as the repetitive donor building block in the synthesis of tri-, penta-, and heptasaccharide fragments corresponding to the Micrococcus luteus teichuronic acid.     

An expeditious and efficient synthesis of β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→3)-d-N-acetylglucosamine (lacto-N-biose) using a glycosynthase from Thermus thermophilus as a catalyst

Mutant glycosynthases or transglycosidases obtained from a Thermus thermophilus β-d-glycosidase (TtbGly) efficiently catalyzed the synthesis of β-(1→3)-disaccharides. Unfortunately, this regioselectivity was changed to the β-(1→4) one when N-acetylglucosamine derivatives were used as acceptors, thus precluding the possibility of synthesizing d-Galp-β-(1→3)-d-GlcpNAc (lacto-N-biose) or d-Glcp-β-(1→3)-d-GlcpNAc, which are useful synthons for the synthesis of antigen determinants. In contrast, we show in this work that, in the presence of phenyl 2-amino-1-thio-β-d-glucopyranoside, the ‘normal’ β-(1→3) regioselectivity of E338G TtbGly glycosynthase takes place. Thus, transglycosylations using α-galactosyl or α-glucosyl fluorides gave the corresponding phenyl β-d-glycopyranosyl-(1→3)-2-amino-2-deoxy-1-thio-β-d-glucopyranosides in high yields (88–97%). Subsequent selective N-acylation followed by NBS/water deprotection of the thiophenyl group afforded lacto-N-biose in high overall yields.     

Synthesis of a Tri- and Tetrasaccharide Fragment Specific for the Shigella flexneri Serotype 5a O-Antigen. A Reinvestigation

ABSTRACT

Stereocontrolled, stepwise synthesis of methyl α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (A(E)B, 1) and methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (DA(E)B, 2) is described; these constitute the methyl glycosides of fragments of the O-specific polysaccharide of Shigella flexneri serotype 5a. Two routes to trisaccharide 1 were considered. Route 1 involved the coupling of a precursor to residue A and a disaccharide EB, whereas route 2 was based on the condensation of a precursor to residue E and a disaccharide AB. Rather surprisingly, the latter afforded the β-anomer of 1, namely methyl α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-α-L-rhamnopyranoside as the major product. Route 1 was preferred. Overall, several observations made during this study suggested that, for the construction of higher fragments, a suitable precursor to rhamnose A would require protecting groups of low bulkiness at position 3 and 4. Therefore, the 2-O-acetyl-3,4-di-O-allyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (35) was the precursor of choice to residue A in the synthesis of the tetrasaccharide 2. The condensation product of 35 and methyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl-4-O-benzyl-α-L-rhamnopyranoside was selectively deacylated and condensed to 2-trichloroacetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate to afford the corresponding fully protected tetrasaccharide 45. Controlled stepwise deprotection of the latter proceeded smoothly to afford the target 2. It should be emphasised that the preparation of 45 was not straightforward, several donors and coupling conditions that were tested resulted only in the complete recovery of the acceptor. Distortion of several signals in the ¹³C NMR spectra of the fully or partially protected tetrasaccharide intermediates suggested that steric hindrance, added to the known low reactivity of HO-2 of rhamnosyl acceptors, probably played a major role in the outcome of the glycosidation attempts.     

Efficient purification and complete NMR characterization of galactinol,sucrose, raffinose,and stachyose isolated from Pinus halepensis (Aleppo pine) seeds using acetylation procedure

The use of precipitation followed by acetylation procedures and preparative TLC purification allowed a facile isolation of four carbohydrates from the methanol extract of Pinus halepensis seeds. The isolated oligosaccharides exhibited high degree of purity. They were identified as α-D-galactosyl-(1→1)-myo-inositol nonaacetate (1), α-D-glucosyl-(1→2)-β-D-fructosyl octaacetate (2), α-D-galactosyl-(1→6)-α-D-glucosyl-(1→2)-β-D-frutosyl undecaacetate (3), and α-D-galactosyl-(1→6)-α-D-galactosyl-(1→6)-α-D-glucosyl-(1→2)-β-D-frutosyl tetradecaacetate (4) and were isolated for the first time from this plant. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR assignments for compounds 2, 3, and 4 were detailed herein for the first time.     

Linear Synthesis of The Methyl Glycosides of Tri-, Tetra-, and Pentasaccharide Fragments of The Shigella Flexneri Serotype 5A O-Antigen

ABSTRACT

The stepwise synthesis of methyl α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (EBC-OMe, 1), methyl α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (A(E)BC-OMe, 2), and methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (DA(E)BC-OMe, 3) is described. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 constitute the methyl glycosides of fragments of the O-specific polysaccharide of Shigella flexneri serotype 5a. Methyl 2,4-di-O-benzoyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-2,4-di-O-benzoyl-α-L-rhamnopyranoside was an appropriate BC precursor for the synthesis of 1. For the synthesis of the branched targets 2 and 3, a benzyl group was best suited at position 2 of rhamnose C. Thus, methyl 4-O-benzyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-2,4-di-O-benzyl-α-L-rhamnopyranoside was the key intermediate to the BC portion. In all cases, 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl fluoride was a convenient E precursor, when used in combination with titanium tetrafluoride. All along, attention was paid to steric hindrance as a factor of major impact on the condensation steps outcome. Therefore, based on previous experience, 2-O-acetyl-3,4-di-O-allyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate and 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-trichloroacetamido-α-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate were used as donors. Both suited all requirements when used as key precursors for residues A and D in the synthesis of 3, respectively.