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The first glycoconjugate vaccine using isolated glycans was licensed to protect children from Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) infections. Subsequently, the first semisynthetic glycoconjugate vaccine using a mixture of antigens derived by polymerization targeted the same pathogen. Still, a detailed understanding concerning the correlation between oligosaccharide chain length and the immune response towards the polyribosyl-ribitol-phosphate (PRP) capsular polysaccharide that surrounds Hib remains elusive. The design of semisynthetic and synthetic Hib vaccines critically depends on the identification of the minimally protective epitope. Here, we demonstrate that an octasaccharide antigen containing four repeating disaccharide units resembles PRP polysaccharide in terms of immunogenicity and recognition by anti-Hib antibodies. Key to this discovery was the development of a modular synthesis that enabled access to oligosaccharides up to decamers. Glycan arrays containing the synthetic oligosaccharides were used to analyze anti-PRP sera for antibodies. Conjugates of the synthetic antigens and the carrier protein CRM197, which is used in licensed vaccines, were employed in immunization studies in rabbits.

Glucosylations and galactosylations of various acceptors with donors possessing an electron-withdrawing benzylsulfonyl, benzoyl, or acetyl group at the O-3 or O-4 position were performed. A β-directing effect by the benzylsulfonyl group at O-3 of the glucosyl donors and by the benzylsulfonyl and acyl groups at O-4 of the glucosyl donors was observed. In contrast, acyl groups at O-3 of the glucosyl donors and acyl groups at O-3 and O-4 of the galactosyl donors exhibited an α-directing effect. The α-directing effect is partly considered to remote participation of the acyl groups, whereas the β-directing effect is somewhat attributed to the S N 2-like reaction of the acceptor with the glycosyl triflate or the contact ion pair, which is stabilized by remote electron-withdrawing groups. Further evidence for the stability of the α-glycosyl triflates was determined by a low-temperature NMR study.

Severe forms of pneumococcal meningitis, bacteraemia and pneumonia result in more than 1 million deaths each year despite the widespread introduction of carbohydrate-protein conjugate vaccines against Streptococcus pneumoniae. Here we describe a new and highly efficient antipneumococcal vaccine design based on synthetic conjugation of S. pneumoniae capsule polysaccharides to the potent lipid antigen α-galactosylceramide, which stimulates invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells when presented by the nonpolymorphic antigen-presenting molecule CD1d. Mice injected with the new lipid-carbohydrate conjugate vaccine produced high-affinity IgG antibodies specific for pneumococcal polysaccharides. Vaccination stimulated germinal center formation; accumulation of iNKT cells with a T follicular helper cell phenotype; and increased frequency of carbohydrate-specific, long-lived memory B cells and plasmablasts. This new lipid-carbohydrate vaccination strategy induced potent antipolysaccharide immunity that protected against pneumococcal disease in mice and may also prove effective for the design of carbohydrate-based vaccines against other major bacterial pathogens.

Studies toward the synthesis of three biologically active [5,6]-benzannulated spiroketal natural products are described. The first total synthesis of paecilospirone is reported, employing a late-stage, pH-neutral spiroketalization. A formal synthesis of γ-rubromycin is described, where the spiroketal moiety is formed by delicate manipulation of the electronic properties of the spirocyclization precursor. Finally, model work toward the total synthesis of berkelic acid is summarized, introducing a novel Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons/oxa-Michael (HWE/oxa-M) cascade to access the spiroketal precursor.

(1, Scheme 1), the prototypical member of astructurally related family of antibiotics known as therubromycins, consists of a densely oxygenated naphthazarinring and an isocoumarin moiety linked through a uniquearomatic 5,6-spiroketal ring system (Scheme 1). The rubro-mycins exhibit a wide range of biological activity includingantimicrobialandanticancerproperties.

The synthesis of a series of 6,6-bisbenzannulated spiroketals using a novel microwave-assisted DIHMA approach is reported. Coupling of an aryl acetylene and an aryl aldehyde via acetylide anion addition resulted in the formation of an alkynol which was followed by oxidation to the desired ynone. Spirocyclization using the DIHMA protocol afforded the desired bisbenzannulated spiroketal in good yield.

The synthesis of a series of 5,5-, 5,6-, and 6,6-mono-benzannulated spiroketals using a novel cross-metathesis-radical-cyclisation approach is reported. Cross metathesis between two olefin coupling partners resulted in the formation of a heterodimer which upon hydrogenation furnished a saturated alcohol product. Oxidative radical cyclisation then afforded the desired monobenz-annulated spiroketals in good overall yield.

Studies toward the synthesis of three biologically active (5,6)-benzannulated spiroketal natural products are described. The first total synthesis of paecilospirone is reported, employing a late-stage, pH-neutral spiroketalization. A formal synthesis of γ-rubromycin is described, where the spiroketal moiety is formed by delicate manipulation of the electronic properties of the spirocyclization precursor. Finally, model work toward the total synthesis of berkelic acid is summarized, introducing a novel Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons/oxa-Michael (HWE/oxa-M) cascade to access the spiroketal precursor.

Covering: up to late 2009 A review of the isolation, biological activity and synthesis of natural products containing a benzannulated spiroketal moiety is provided.

Covering: up to late 2009 A review of the isolation, biological activity and synthesis of natural products containing a benzannulated spiroketal moiety is provided.

The synthesis of a series of 6,6-bisbenzannulated spiroketals using a novel microwave-assisted DIHMA approach is reported. Coupling of an aryl acetylene and an aryl aldehyde via acetylide anion addition resulted in the formation of an alkynol which was followed by oxidation to the desired ynone. Spirocyclization using the DIHMA protocol afforded the desired bisbenzannulated spiroketal in good yield.

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C16H16O6, a pair of naphthoquinone rings are linked via O—H...O—C hydrogen bonds in a nearly orthogonal arrangement. This dimeric unit is linked to a neighbouring dimer by π–π stacking interactions between the naphthoquinone rings, where the distance between the mean plane of the naphtoquinone backbones is 3.468 Å, and O—H...O—C hydrogen bonds.