alpha-selective sialylations at -78 degrees C in nitrile solvents with a 1-adamantanyl thiosialoside

Novel 1-adamantanylthio sialosides were synthesized and coupled to acceptors under NIS/TfOH promotion conditions. These donors showed higher reactivity than the phenylthio sialosides and could be activated by NIS/TfOH in nitrile solvents at -78 degrees C to afford improved alpha-sialylations. With the N-acetyl-5-N,4-O-oxazolidinone-protected 1-adamantanylthio sialyl donor high alpha-selectivities could be achieved in the sialylations of both primary and sterically hindered secondary acceptors, including the important galactose 3-OH acceptors.