In order to facilitate the research in glycobiology, we have developed a computer-based programmable one-pot approach to the synthesis of oligosaccharides. A number of glycosylation reagents have been designed for this program, and their anomeric reactivities have been determined To synthesize a given oligosaccharide, one can simply enter the sequence into the computer, and the building blocks with their associated reactivity number will be returned on the screen. Mixing these building blocks in sequence (from high reactivity to low reactivity) will generate the desired product in a protected form in a few minutes. A straightforward deprotection and chromatography will give the final product. We are developing more building blocks and will make them available to the public.
Figure 3A. Programmable one pot synthesis. We have designed and synthesized a number of building blocks and measured their anomeric reactivity for one-pot reactions. A computer program called Optimer was developed as a guide for selection of building blocks. Once a target oligosaccharide (3-5 monosaccharides) sequence is enetered into the computer, the building blocks will be shown. One simply mixes the building blocks in sequence (from most to least reactive), and the product is obtained in minutes. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. (1999) 121, 734; Science (2001) 291, 2344)