Desymmetrization of trehalose via regioselective DIBAL reductive ring opening of benzylidene and substituted benzylidene acetals

Abstract

Trehalose dibenzylidene and substituted dibenzylidene acetals were reductively opened either at O6 or O4 in a regioselective manner by using a DIBAL stock solution prepared in toluene or dichloromethane, respectively, to achieve desymmetrization of the trehalose core. The method was applied to synthesize various biologically important unsymmetrically substituted trehalose glycoconjugates, including a mycobacterial trisaccharide, a 4-epi-trehalosamine analog and a maradolipid.