Synthesis of Xyl beta Cer, Gal beta 1-4Xyl beta Cer, NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-4Xyl beta Cer and the corresponding lactone and lactam trisaccharides

2-(Trimethylsilyl)ethyl 2-O-benzoyl- and 2,3-di-O-acetyl-beta-D-xylopyranosides (12 and 14) were synthesized in high yields and subjected to glycosylation with various glycosyl donors. Galactosylation of 12 gave the xylose analogue of TMSEt lactoside (3), which was transformed into the glycosyl acceptor 19. Sialylation then gave the xylose analogue of G(M3) trisaccharide (5). The TMSEt glycosides 10, 25, and 32 were transformed into the corresponding trichloroacetimidates, which were used for glycosylation of an azidosphingosine derivative. The resulting sphingosyl glycosides were transformed into the title ceramides. Treatment of NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-4Xyl beta Cer (5) with acetic acid gave the corresponding l''-2'-lactone 7. Glycosylation of 12 or 14 with a G(M4)-lactam donor (40) gave the xylose analogue of G(M3)-lactam (42). There was a 3-fold increase in the formation of GAG chains in the presence of 0.5 mu M Xyl beta Cer (2) in the medium.