Synthesis of C-glycosides by Ti-catalyzed stereoselective glycosyl radical functionalization

C-Alkyl glycosides occur widely in nature and are indispensable in drug development programs, owing to their diverse range of medicinal properties. Previous synthetic efforts often utilize stoichiometric reagents, and catalytic methods that afford such glycosides exhibit limited scope. Here, we describe a stereoselective Ti-catalyzed regime that efficiently merges a vast array of readily available glycosyl chlorides with activated olefins, through stereocontrolled glycosyl radical addition to deliver an assortment of C-alkyl glycosides. By employing alkynes as radical acceptors, the present strategy is amenable to the synthesis of C-alkenyl glycosides bearing a Z olefin appendage. The unexpected greater reactivity of glycosyl chlorides (compared with simple tertiary chloroalkanes) in the presence of an organotitanium complex is elucidated through mechanistic and computational studies. Utility of the protocol is underscored by the concise preparation of therapeutically important carbohydrates and glycopeptide conjugates, which are difficult to access using alternative approaches.