Carbocycles from carbohydrates via free radical cyclizations: new synthetic approaches to glycomimetics

Abstract

Free radical cyclization of enantiomerically pure, acyclic presursors derived from carbohydrates is an excellent method for the synthesis of complex, densely functionalized chiral carbohydrate mimics (‘glycomimetics’). The extent of the acyclic diastereoselection can be modulated and is closely associated with the structure, rigidity and conformational aspects of the radical precursors. General models for a rationale of the stereochemical outcome of the cyclizations are shown.