Synthesis and application of a 2-[(4-fluorophenyl)-sulfonyl]ethoxy carbonyl (Fsec) protected glycosyl donor in carbohydrate chemistry

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/molecules15085708

The 2-[(4-fluorophenyl)sulfonyl]ethoxy carbonyl (Fsec) group for protection of hydroxyl groups has been designed, synthesized, and evaluated. Fsec-Cl was readily prepared in 91% yield over three steps and subsequently used to protect 4-fluorobenzyl alcohol in high yield. The Fsec group was cleaved from the resulting model compound under mild basic conditions e.g., 20% piperidine in DMF and was stable under acidic conditions, e.g., neat acetic acid. The Fsec group was used to protect the unreactive 4-OH in a galactose building block that was later used in the synthesis of 6-aminohexyl galabioside.

Full text of DOI:10.3390/molecules15085708

Molecules 2010, 15, 5708-5720; doi:10.3390/molecules15085708
OPEN ACCESS
molecules
ISSN 1420-3049
www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules
Article
Synthesis and Application of a 2-[(4-Fluorophenyl)-
sulfonyl]ethoxy Carbonyl (Fsec) Protected Glycosyl Donor in
Carbohydrate Chemistry
Sara Spjut, Weixing Qian and Mikael Elofsson *
Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, SE-90187 Umeå, Sweden
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: mikael.elofsson@chem.umu.se;
Tel.: +46-90-786-9328.
Received: 9 June 2010; in revised form: 10 August 2010 / Accepted: 18 August 2010 /
Published: 19 August 2010
Abstract: The 2-[(4-fluorophenyl)sulfonyl]ethoxy carbonyl (Fsec) group for protection of
hydroxyl groups has been designed, synthesized, and evaluated. Fsec-Cl was readily
prepared in 91% yield over three steps and subsequently used to protect 4-fluorobenzyl
alcohol in high yield. The Fsec group was cleaved from the resulting model compound
under mild basic conditions e.g., 20% piperidine in DMF and was stable under acidic
conditions, e.g., neat acetic acid. The Fsec group was used to protect the unreactive 4-OH
in a galactose building block that was later used in the synthesis of 6-aminohexyl
galabioside.
Keywords: base sensitive protecting group; O-protection; glycoconjugate synthesis;
glycosylation
1. Introduction
Regioselectivity is often a challenge in glycoconjugate synthesis since carbohydrates contain
several hydroxyl groups with different reactivity. Therefore, orthogonal protecting group strategies are
of great importance. Esters, ethers, and acetals are some of the most common protecting groups used
for hydroxyl groups in carbohydrate chemistry and they can be quite easily introduced and later
cleaved selectively [1,2]. Due to the high number of protecting group manipulations that are frequently
necessary synthesis of glycoconjugates is both time consuming and cumbersome. To address this,

Molecules 2010, 15
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solid-phase synthesis has been applied in order to simplify synthesis due to the fact thatonly a filtration
is applied after each reaction step and more thorough purification is not performed until the final target
compound has been cleaved from the resin [3]. The 9H-fluoren-9-yl-methoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) group is
widely used as a N-protecting group in solid-phase synthesis of peptides [4]. The Fmoc group has also
been used in some extent as an O-protecting group in solution and solid-phase synthesis of
carbohydrates [5–7]. It can easily be removed under mild basic conditions (e.g., 20% triethylamine in
CH2Cl2 [5]) and it is stable under acidic conditions. The Fmoc group is however lipophilic and large
(and therefore sterically demanding) so alternative groups have been developed. The
2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethoxycarbonyl (Psec) group and the closely related 4-chloro-, 4-nitro-, and
4-methyl-derivatives are interesting alternatives that have been applied for O-protection (Figure
1) [8,9]. With more electronegative substituents in position 4 of the phenyl ring faster cleavage was
observed with triethylamine (15 eq. in pyridine at room temperature). The fluorinated
2-(4-trifluoromethylphenylsulfonyl)ethoxycarbonyl (Tsc) group (Figure 1) has been used for
N-protection of amino acids in solid-phase synthesis of polyamides [10]. The Tsc group can be
removed under basic conditions, e.g., 0.1 M LiOH in THF-H2O (1:1) at 0 ºC. The
methylsulfonylethoxycarbonyl (Msc) group (Figure 1) has been synthesized and evaluated for
O-protection in carbohydrate chemistry [11] but was originally developed and used for N-protection of
amino acids [12]. The Msc group is an alternative to the Fmoc group since it is less lipophilic and
sterically demanding. Msc protected alcohols were deprotected in quantitative yields with e.g., tetra-N-
butylammonium fluoride (TBAF, 0.1 eq. in THF for 30 min) or 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene
(DBU, 0.1 eq. in DMF for 25 min) [11]. In addition the fluorous propylsulfonylethoxy carbonyl (FPsc)
group (Figure 1) was synthesized and evaluated for O-protection in carbohydrate chemistry [11]. The
FPsc group is a fluorous analog of the Msc group and was applied in synthesis of a trisaccharide
exploiting the fluorous component in the FPsc group (F17C8-) for purification by fluorous solid-phase
extraction [11].
Figure 1. The Psec, Tsc, Msc, and FPsc protecting groups.
O
S
O
O
R
O
Psec R = Ph
Tsc R= pCF3Ph
Msc R = CH3
FPsc R = (CH2)3C8F17
To further explore the potential of solid-phase glycoconjugate synthesis our laboratory has
19
developed gel-phase F-NMR spectroscopy as a technique to monitor the outcome of reactions while
the product is still attached to the solid support [13–17]. Yield and diastereomeric ratio can been
determined by using fluorine containing protecting groups and linkers using standard NMR
spectroscopy equipment. However, in our hands Fmoc protection of hindered and unreactive alcohols
has been sluggish, indicating the need for alternative protective groups. We therefore designed the
2-[(4-fluorophenyl)sulfonyl]ethoxy carbonyl chloride (Fsec-Cl) 4 suitable for O-protection in both
solution- and solid-phase synthesis monitored with gel-phase 19F-NMR spectroscopy. Herein we

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describe the synthesis and characterization of Fsec protected alcohols and the use of a 4-O-Fsec
protected galactose donor in solution synthesis of 6-aminohexyl galabioside.
2. Results and Discussion
Given the stability profiles and cleavage conditions for the N-Tsc [10,18], O-Psec and related
derivatives [8,9], and O-Msc [11] groups we reasoned that the Fsec group should have properties
suitable for O-protection of carbohydrates. The Fsec protecting group reagent 2-[(4-
fluorophenyl)sulfonyl]ethoxy carbonyl chloride (Fsec-Cl) 4 was synthesized in 91% yield over three
steps (Scheme 1). 4-Fluorothiophenol (1) was reacted with 2-bromoethanol under basic conditions to
give 2-[(4-fluorophenyl)thio]ethanol (2). Subsequent oxidation with m-CPBA produced compound
3 [19] in 92% yield. Compound 3 is currently commercially available from several sources. Finally 3
was reacted with triphosgene to afford Fsec-Cl 4 in quantitative yield.
Scheme 1. Synthesis of Fsec-Cl 4.
Reagents and conditions: a) 2-Bromoethanol (1.1 eq.), Et3N (4 eq.), CH3CN, room temperature,
overnight; b) m-CPBA (3 eq.), CH2Cl2, room temperature, 22 h, 92% over two steps; c)
Triphosgene (19 eq.), DMF (1 droplet), CH3CN, -50 ºCÆroom temperature, 24 h, 99%.
The stability of the Fsec protecting group was tested under both basic and acidic conditions using
the model substance 4-fluorobenzyl 2-[(4-fluorobenzyl)sulfonyl]ethyl carbonate (5, Scheme 2). 4-
Fluorobenzyl alcohol was protected with Fsec-Cl 4 under basic conditions in 85% yield (Scheme 2)
indicating that O-protection with the Fsec group can readily be performed.
Scheme 2. Synthesis of 4-fluorobenzyl 2-[(4-fluorobenzyl)sulfonyl]ethyl carbonate (5).
Reagents and conditions: a) 4-fluorobenzyl alcohol (0.83 eq.), pyridine (0.83 eq.), CH2Cl2, room
temperature, over night, 85%.
We found that the Fsec group could be effectively removed from 5 with reagents commonly used
for Fmoc deprotection, e.g., 20% piperidine or 2% DBU in DMF or CH2Cl2, and 1.1 eq. TBAF in THF
at room temperature (Table 1, entry 1-3, 6, and 7). The reactions were monitored with LC-MS and the
chromatograms showed no formation of by-products. In addition we found that the Fsec group is stable

Molecules 2010, 15
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under acidic conditions (Table 1, entry 8-10) and this is critical since glycosylation reactions generally
are performed under acidic conditions.
Table 1.Investigation of stability and suitable cleavage conditions of the Fsec group.
Time
(min)
Entry Reagents
Solvents
Yieldsa
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1.1 eq. TBAF
THF
3
3
6
Quant.
Quant.
Quant.
20 % piperidine
20 % piperidine
20 % morpholine
20 % morpholine
2 % DBU
2 % DBU
5 % AcOH
5 % TFA
Neat AcOH
DMF
CH2Cl2
DMF
> 60 Quant.
CH2Cl2 360
~ 90 %
Quant.
Quant.
Stable
Stable
Stable
DMF
CH2Cl2
THF
THF
-
3
3
300
300
300
9
10
a Estimated from LC-UV traces.
Since the Fsec protecting group met our requirements concerning stability and cleavage conditions
we decided to apply it for O-protection of a glycosyl donor. The Fsec protected glycosyl donor 8 was
synthesized in two steps from the fully protected galactose donor 6 [20] (Scheme 3). Compound 6 was
treated with trimethylaminoborane and aluminium chloride [21] to open the acetal ring and give 7 with
a free 4-OH in 85% yield. We had earlier failed in our efforts to introduce the Fmoc group on the free
4-OH in 7, e.g., with Fmoc-Cl and pyridine in room temperature, or Fmoc-Cl and 4-DMAP under
microwave irradiation. However, when Fsec-Cl 4 was reacted with 7 in neat pyridine the expected
product 8 was formed in 68% yield, indicating that the Fsec group is suitable for protection of
sterically hindered and unreactive hydroxyl groups.
Scheme 3. Synthesis of the Fsec protected galactose donor 8.
Reagents and conditions: a) Trimethylaminoborane (4 eq.), aluminium chloride (6 eq.), water
(2 eq.), THF, room temperature, over night, 84%; b) Fsec-Cl (4, 3 eq.), pyridine, 45 ºC for 1 h,
56-58 ºC for 6 h, 68%.
The Fsec protected galctose donor 8 was then used in synthesis of 6-aminohexyl galabioside (15)
(Scheme 4). As a first step 6-amino-1-hexanol (9) was protected with benzyl chloroformate (CBz-Cl)
to give the N-protected spacer 10 in 82% yield. Next, the hydroxyl moiety of 10 was glycosylated with
the Fsec protected galactose donor 8 under promotion with N-iodosuccinimide (NIS) and trifluoro-
methanesulfonic acid (TfOH) to give the β-glycoside 11 in 83% yield. The Fsec group was removed

Molecules 2010, 15
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with 1.1 eq. TBAF in THF for ~10 min to furnish 12 in 72% yield. The free hydroxyl group was then
glycosylated with the galactose donor 17 (Scheme 4) under promotion with NIS and TfOH giving the
fully protected galabiose derivative 13 in 39% yield. The glycosyl acceptor 12 was recovered in 40%
yield, illustrating the low nucleophilicity of the 4-OH in the galactose acceptor 12. No formation of the
corresponding β-glycoside was observed.
Scheme 4. Synthesis of 6-aminohexyl galabioside 15.
Reagents and conditions: a) Benzyl chloroformate (CbzCl) (1.1 eq.), NaOH (aq.), (1.1 eq.), CH2Cl2,
0 ºCÆroom temperature, 3.5 h, 82%; b) 8 (0.25 eq.), N-iodosuccinimide (NIS) (1 eq.), TfOH (cat.),
dry CH2Cl2, room temperature, 2 h, 83%; c) TBAF in THF (1.1 eq.), room temperature, 11 min,
72%; d) 17 (2 eq.), NIS (2 eq.), TfOH (cat.), dry THF:CH2Cl2, (1:1), room temperature, 2 h, 39%;
e) NaOMe (10 eq.), dry MeOH, room temperature, 1.5 h, 89%; f) H2 (g), Pd(C), AcOH, room
temperature, 31 h, 50%.
The galactose donor 17 was formed by benzylation of 16 [15] with o-fluorobenzyl bromide and
NaH in 83% yield (Scheme 5). The benzoyl protecting groups in 13 were removed with sodium
methoxide in methanol and the remaining protecting groups were removed with palladium on charcoal
in acetic acid producing the target compound 15 in 45% yield over two steps (Scheme 3). The amino
group allows conjugation to a wide variety of carriers and surfaces including proteins and microwell
plates [20].
Scheme 5. Synthesis of the galactose donor 17.

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Reagents and conditions: a) o-Fluorobenzyl bromide (2.4 eq.), NaH (2.4 eq.), DMF, room
temperature, 18 h, 83%.
The Fsec group has potential to be used to protect glycosyl donors intended for solid-phase
synthesis of glycoconjugates using gel-phase 19F-NMR spectroscopy as monitoring technique. The
chemical shift for the fluorine atom in the Fsec group (approximately -103 ppm) is well separated from
other commonly used protecting groups, e.g., fluorine containing benzyl (-114 to -119 ppm), benzoate
(-104 to -113 ppm), or benzylidene (-112 to -121 ppm) groups [15], and the recently introduced [1-(4-
(4-fluorophenyl)-2,6-dioxocyclohexylidene)ethyl] (Fde) N-protecting group (approximately -116
ppm) [22].19F-NMR shifts for the fluorinated protecting groups in compound 4-8 and 11-14 are given
in Table 2. Hence, the Fsec group can likely be used in combination with these protecting groups as
part of an orthogonal protecting group strategy.
Table 2. 19F-NMR shifts for the fluorinated protecting groups in compound 4-8 and 11-14.
19F-NMR shift δ [ppm]a
ID
Fsec
FBn
FBz
4
5
-102.7
-103.3
−113.2
6
7
8
11
12
13
14
-105.2, -105.6
-105.0, -105.4
-105.1, -104.6
-104.6, -105.2
-105.1, -105.5
-104.4, -105.5
-102.8
-103.0
-118.7, -119.3
-118.9, -119.4
a Relative CFCl3.
3. Experimental
3.1. General
All reactions were carried out under inert atmosphere with dry solvents under anhydrous conditions,
unless otherwise stated. CH2Cl2 was distilled from calcium hydride, DMF was distilled under vacuum,
CH3CN was distilled from CaH2, and THF distilled from potassium. TLC was run on Silica Gel 60 F254
(Merck) and the spots were detected in UV-light and stained with H2SO4 in ethanol and heat. Silica gel
(Matrex, 60 Å, 35–70 mm, Grace Amicon) and solvents of analytical grade were used for flash column
chromatography except where otherwise is stated. In these cases, Biotage Isolera OneTM with SNAP
KP-SIL columns (10–50 g) and n-heptane-EtOAc gradients were used for flash column
chromatography, typically with a flow rate of 12–40 mL min-1, depending on the size of the column.
1H- and 13C-NMR spectra were recorded at 298 K on a Bruker DRX-400 instrument at 400 and
100 MHz, respectively, with CDCl3 or D2O as solvents and residual CHCl3 (δH 7.27 ppm) or D2O (δH
1
13
4.79 ppm) as internal standard for H and CDCl3 (δC 77.23 ppm) as internal standard for C. Peaks
that could not be assigned are not reported. J values are given in Hz. Proton decoupled 19F-NMR
spectra were recorded at 298 K on the Bruker DRX-400 at 376 MHz in CDCl3 with CFCl3 (δF
0.00 ppm) as internal standard. Positive and negative electrospray mass analyses were carried out on a
Waters Micromass ZG 2000. Preparative HPLC separations were performed on a Beckman System

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Gold HPLC, using a Supelco Discovery Biowide Pore C18 column (250 × 212 mm, 5 μm) eluted with a
linear gradient of CH3CN in water, both of which contained trifluoroacetic acid (0.1%). The flow rate
was 11 mL min-1 and detection at 214 nm. Analytical HPLC were performed on a Beckman System
Gold HPLC, using a Supelco Discovery Biowide Pore C18 column (250 × 46 mm, 5 μm) with a flow
rate of 1.5 mL min-1 and detection at 214 nm.
2-[(4-Fluorophenyl)thio]ethanol (2). 2-Bromoethanol (2.72 g, 21.8 mmol) was slowly added to a
mixture of 4-fluorothiophenol (1, 2.56 g, 20.0 mmol) and triethylamine (11.1 mL, 80 mmol) in CH3CN
(50 mL) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred over night and the solvent was removed
under reduced pressure. To the residue diethyl ether was added to precipitate the bromide salt. The salt
was filtrated by suction and washed twice with diethyl ether. The filtration was concentrated to give
2as a yellow oil (3.82 g) that was used without further purification. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.43–7.35 (m,
2H, Ar-H), 7.04–6.95 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 3.70 (t, 2H, J = 6.0 Hz, -SCH2CH2OH), 3.04 (t, 2H, J = 6.0 Hz,
-SCH2CH2OH); 19F-NMR (CDCl3) δ -115.1; MS(ES+) calculated for C8H10FOS (M+H+) 173.04,
found 173.08.
2-[(4-Fluorophenyl)sulfonyl]ethanol (3) [19]. m-Chloroperbenzoic acid (8.72 g, 38.7 mmol) was
slowly added to 2 (2.32 g, 13.4 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (100 mL) at 0 ºC. The reaction mixture was stirred
for 22 h at room temperature. The solvent was concentrated to precipitate m-chlorobenzoic acid, which
was removed by filtration. The crude product was purified by column chromatography (30–100%
1
EtOAc in petroleum ether) to give 3 (2.45g, 92% yield)as a white solid in. H-NMR (CDCl3) δ
8.01–7.92 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.33–7.21 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 4.07–3.97(m, 2H, -SO2CH2CH2OH), 3.35 (t, 2H,
J = 5.6 Hz, -SO2CH2CH2OH), 2.64 (br. 1H, -CH2OH); 19F NMR (CDCl3): δ -103.2; MS(ES+)
calculated for C8H10FO3S (M+H+) 205.03, found 205.29; m.p. 60–61 ºC.
2-[(4-Fluorophenyl)sulfonyl]ethoxy carbonyl chloride (4). One drop of DMF was added to triphosgene
(14.9 g, 0.15 mol) in CH3CN (40 mL) and then the solution was cooled to -50 ºC. Compound 3 (2.05 g,
10.0 mmol) in CH3CN (50 mL) was slowly added to the reaction mixture and then stirred for 24 h at
room temperature. Residual phosgene and hydrogen chloride were removed by purging with nitrogen
gas for 40 min after which time the solvent was evaporated in vacuo to give 4
(2.65 g) as a white solid in quantitative yield. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 8.00–7.91 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.33–7.23
(m, 2H, Ar-H), 4.65 (t, 2H, J = 5.6 Hz, -SO2CH2CH2O-), 3.53 (t, 2H, J = 5.6 Hz, -SO2CH2CH2O-);13C-
NMR (CDCl3) δ 166.1 (d, J = 256.0 Hz), 116.9 (d, J = 22.5 Hz), 150.7, 135.0 (d, J = 3.1 Hz), 131.1 (d,
J = 9.7 Hz), 54.3, 54.5; 19F-NMR (CDCl3): δ -102.7; m.p. 72–74 ºC.
4-Fluorobenzyl 2-[(4-fluorobenzyl)sulfonyl]ethyl carbonate (5). Compound 4 (0.16 g, 0.60mmol) was
added to pyridine (0.047 g, 0.60 mmol) and 4-fluorobenzyl alcohol (0.064 g, 0.50 mmol) in CH2Cl2
(2 mL). The mixture was stirred over night at room temperature. The solvent was removed under
reduced pressure and the residue was purified by column chromatography (petroleum ether-EtOAc
3:1) to give 5 (0.151 g) in 85% yield.1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.97–7.86 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.34–7.24 (m, 2H,
Ar-H), 7.22–7.13 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.08–6.99 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 5.01 (s, 2H, -CH2O-), 4.46 (t, 2H,
J = 6.0 Hz, -SO2CH2CH2O-), 3.48 (t, 2H, J = 6.0 Hz, -SO2CH2CH2O-); 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 166.0 (d,

Molecules 2010, 15
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J = 255.6 Hz), 163.0 (d, J = 246.0 Hz), 154.2, 135.4 (d, J = 3.3 Hz), 131.2 (d, J = 9.8 Hz), 130.7 (d,
J = 3.3 Hz), 130.5 (d, J = 8.4 Hz), 116.7 (d, J = 22.6 Hz), 115.7 (d, J = 21.4 Hz), 69.3, 69.3, 55.1;
−
19F-NMR (CDCl3): δ -113.2, -103.3; MS(ES−) calculated for C17H15F2O7S (M+HCO2 ) 401.05,
found 401.12.
4-Methylphenyl 2,3-di-O-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-6-O-benzyl-1-thio-β-D-galactopyranoside (7). Trimethyl-
aminoborane (0.238 g, 3.26 mmol) was added to 6 [20] (0.500 g, 0.808 mmol) in distilled THF
(25 mL) followed by aluminium chloride (0.639 g, 4.79 mmol). After dissolution of the reagents water
(0.029 mL, 1.61 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. Water
and HCl (1M) was added to terminate the reaction and the mixture was extracted with EtOAc. The
organic phase was washed with brine, dried with MgSO4, and concentrated. Purification with flash
column chromatography (Isolera, SNAP KP-SIL, 5–100% EtOAc in n-heptane, 22 min) gave 7
(0.419 g) in 84% yield.1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 8.06–7.93 (m, 4H, ArH), 7.45 (d, 2H, J = 8.0 Hz, ArH),
7.40–7.28 (m, 5H, ArH), 7.12–6.93 (m, 6H, ArH), 5.79 (t, 1H, J = 9.9 Hz, H-2), 5.34 (dd, 1H,
J = 2.9 and 9.9 Hz, H-3), 4.93 (d, 1H, J = 9.9 Hz, H-1), 4.61 (s, 2H, -OCH2C-), 4.43 (s, 1H, H-4),
13
3.96–4.83 (m, 3H, H-5 and H-6), 2.32 (s, 3H, -CH3); C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 167.1 (J = 6.7 Hz), 164.6
(J = 6.5 Hz), 167.5 (J = 54.9 Hz), 137.9 (J = 68.0 Hz), 133.2, 132.3 (J = 10.7 Hz), 129.6, 128.4, 128.3,
127.8, 127.7, 125.5 (J = 37.6 Hz), 125.4 (J = 37.6 Hz), 115.5 (J = 20.3 Hz), 115.6 (J = 20.3 Hz), 86.6,
19
77.2, 75.7, 73.7, 69.6, 68.3, 68.2, 21.1; F-NMR (CDCl3) δ -105.0, -105.4; MS(ES+) calculated for
C34H31F2O7S (M+H) 621.18, found 620.99.
4-Methylphenyl6-O-benzyl-2,3-di-O-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-4-O-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)sulfonylethoxy-
carbonyl]-1-thio-β-D-galactopyranoside (8). Compound 4 (0.08 g, 0.30 mmol) was added to 7
(0.062 g, 0.10 mmol) in pyridine (1.0 mL). The mixture was stirred at 45 ºC for 1 h and then at
56–58 ºC for 6 h. The pyridine was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by
1
column chromatography (toluene-EtOAc 3:1) to give 8 (0.058 g) as a white solid in 68% yield. H-
NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.95–8.02 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.84–7.94 (m, 4H, Ar-H), 7.27–7.40 (m, 8H, Ar-H),
6.97–7.11 (m, 6H, Ar-H), 5.59 (t, 1H, J = 10.0 Hz, H-2), 5.48 (m, 1H, H-4), 5.39 (dd, 1H, J = 3.6 and
10.0 Hz, H-3), 4.87 (d, 1H, J = 10.0 Hz, H-1), 4.51 (dd, 2H, J = 11.6 and 26.2 Hz, -CH2O-), 4.28 (t,
1H, J = 6.4 Hz, -SO2CH2CH2O-), 3.99 (t, 1H, J = 6.4 Hz, H-5), 3.68 (dd, 1H, J = 6.0 and 9.8 Hz, H-6),
3.58 (dd, 1H, J = 6.8 and 9.8 Hz, H-6), 3.29–3.38 (m, 2H, -SO2CH2CH2O-), 2.32 (s, 3H, -CH3);
13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 166.2 (J = 256.0 Hz), 166.1 (J = 254.1 Hz), 166.1 (J = 253.6 Hz), 164.4, 164.4,
154.1, 138.5, 137.7, 135.4 (J = 3.4 Hz), 133.1, 132.5 (J = 9.3 Hz), 132.4 (J = 9.4 Hz), 131.2
(J = 9.7 Hz), 129.9, 129.9, 128.9, 128.5, 128.0, 127.9, 125.5 (J = 3.1 Hz), 125.1 (J = 3.0 Hz), 117.0
(J = 22.7 Hz), 115.9 (J = 21.9 Hz), 115.8 (J = 21.9 Hz), 87.4, 75.9, 73.7, 73.1, 72.6, 68.4, 67.7, 61.4,
55.0, 21.3; 19F- NMR (CDCl3) δ -105.1, -104.6, -102.8 (Fsec); MS(ES+) calculated for C43H39F3O12S2
(M+H2O) 868.18, found 868.43; [α]D25 = 4.6° (c 1.0, CHCl3).
6-Benzyloxycarbonylamino-1-hexanol (10). Benzyl chloroformate (CbzCl, 0.390 mL, 2.73 mmol) was
added dropwise to a solution of 6-amino-1-hexanol (9, 0.301 g, 2.57 mmol) in NaOH (aq.) (2.81 mL,
2.81 mmol) at 0 ºC. The solution was allowed to reach room temperature, stirred for 30 min and then
CH2Cl2 was added (2 mL). After stirring at room temperature for 3 h the mixture was concentrated in

Molecules 2010, 15
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vacuo. The residue was purified with flash column chromatography (Isolera, SNAP KP-SIL, 5–95%
EtOAc in n-heptane, 22 min) to give 10 (0.528 g) in 82% yield.1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.38–7.27 (m, 5H,
ArH), 5.08 (s, 2H, -COOCH2C-), 4.87 (s, 1H, -NH-), 3.60 (t, 2H, J = 6.5 Hz, -CH2OH), 3.23–3.09 (m,
2H, -CH2NH-), 1.59–1.45 (m, 4H, -CH2CH2OH, -CH2CH2NH-), 1.42–1.23 (m, 4H, 2 × -CH2CH2CH2-); 13C-
NMR (CDCl3) δ 156.6, 136.7, 128.6, 128.2, 66.7, 62.2, 41.0, 32.6, 30.0, 26.4, 25.4; MS(ES+)
calculated for C14H22NO (M+H) 252.16, found 252.42.
6-(Benzyloxycarbonylamino)-hexyl
6-O-benzyl-2,3-di-O-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-4-O-[2-(4-fluorophenyl-
sulfonyl)ethoxycarbonyl]-β-D-galactopyranoside (11). Compound 10 (0.118 g, 0.470 mmol), 8
(0.100 g, 0.118 mmol), and NIS (0.106g, 0.471 mmol) were dried under vacuum and in the absence of
light for 2 h. Distilled CH2Cl2 (5 mL) and TfOH (0.1 M in CH2Cl2, 0.001 mmol) were added and the
solution was stirred in room temperature in the absence of light for 2 h. The reaction mixture was
concentrated and the residue was purified with flash column chromatography (Isolera, SNAP KP-SIL,
5–95% EtOAc in n-heptane, 22 min) giving 11 (0.064 g) in 83% yield.1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 8.02–7.86
(m, 6H, ArH), 7.39–7.24 (m, 12H, ArH), 7.11–6.99 (m, 4H, ArH), 5.56 (dd, 1H, J = 8.0 and 10.3 Hz,
H-2), 5.44 (d, 1H, J = 3.3 Hz, H-4), 5.37 (dd, 1H, J = 3.3 and 10.3 Hz, H-3), 5.09 (s, 2H,
-COOCH2Ph), 4.65 (d, 1H, J = 8.0 Hz, H-1), 4.51 (q, 2H, J = 11.9 and 26.7 Hz, -OCH2Ph), 4.29 (t, 2H,
J = 5.7 Hz, -COOCH2CH2-), 3.96 (t, 1H, J = 6.5 Hz, H-5), 3.92–3.85 (m, 1H, -OCHHCH2CH2-),
3.67–3.62 (m, 1H, H-6), 3.60–3.53 (m, 1H, H-6), 3.52–3.44 (m, 1H, -OCHHCH2CH2-), 3.39–3.30 (m,
2H, -COOCH2CH2-), 3.10–3.01 (m, 2H, -NHCH2-), 1.58–1.44 (m, 2H, -OCH2CH2CH2-), 1.35–1.13
(m, 6H, -CH2CH2CH2NH-); 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 167.4 (J = 8.6 Hz), 167.2, 164.9 (J = 6.5 Hz), 164.7,
164.4, 164.3, 156.4, 154.0, 137.6, 136.7, 135.3 (J = 5.3 Hz), 132.3 (J = 4.2 and 9.2 Hz), 131.2
(J = 9.8 Hz), 128.5 (J = 7.2 Hz), 128.2, 127.9, 127.8, 125.6 (J = 4.7 Hz), 125.1 (J = 4.3 Hz), 117.0,
116.8, 115.7 (J = 15.9 and 22.1 Hz), 101.2 (C-1), 77.2, 73.6, 72.3, 71.9, 71.8, 69.9, 69.7, 67.4, 66.7,
61.3, 54.9, 40.9, 29.7, 29.3, 26.8, 25.5; 19F-NMR (CDCl3) δ -103.0, -104.6, -105.2; MS(ES+)
calculated for C50H51F3NO14S (M+H) 978.30, found 978.46.
6-(Benzyloxycarbonylamino)hexyl 6-O-benzyl-2,3-di-O-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-β-D-galactopyranoside (12).
Compound 11 (0.013 g, 0.013 mmol) was dissolved in THF (13 mL) and TBAF in THF
(0.015 mL, 0.015 mmol) was added. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 11 min and
purification by preparative HPLC (30–100% CH3CN in H2O, 50 min) afforded 12 (7.2 mg) in 72%
yield.1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 8.07–7.96 (m, 4H, ArH), 7.38–7.28 (m, 10H, ArH), 7.08–6.99 (m, 4H, ArH),
5.72 (dd, 1H, J = 8.0 and 10.3 Hz, H-2), 5.25 (dd, 1H, J = 3.1 and 10.3 Hz, H-3), 5.09 (s, 2H,
-COOCH2), 4.72 (t, 1H, J = 5.8 Hz), 4.63 (d, 1H, J = 8.0 Hz, H-1), 4.61 (d, 2H, J = 3.1 Hz, -OCH2Ph),
4.38 (d, 1H, J = 2.9 Hz, H-4), 3.96–3.87 (m, 1H, -OCHHCH2-), 3.86–3.78 (m, 3H), 3.54–3.46 (m, 1H,
-OCHHCH2-), 3.05 (s, 2H, -CH2CH2NH-), 1.60–1.41 (m, 2H, -OCH2CH2CH2-), 1.36–1.10 (m, 6H,
-OCH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2NH-); 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 167.4 (J = 16.5 Hz), 164.8 (J = 16.4 Hz),
164.8 (J = 53.8 Hz), 137.5, 132.6 (J = 9.5 Hz), 132.4 (J = 9.4 Hz), 128.7, 128.3, 128.1, 125.9 (J = 2.8
Hz), 125.5 (J = 2.8 Hz), 115.8 (J = 22.1 Hz), 115.7 (J = 22.1 Hz), 101.6, 74.5, 74.0, 73.3, 70.1, 70.0,
69.4, 68.4, 66.9, 41.0, 29.7, 29.3, 26.3, 25.6; 19F-NMR (CDCl3) δ -105.1, -105.5; MS(ES+) calculated
for C41H44F2NO10 (M+H) 748.29, found 748.40.

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6-(Benzyloxycarbonylamino)hexyl 6-O-benzyl-[2,3-di-O-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-]-4-O-{4,6-O-benzylidene-
2,3-di-O-(2-fluorobenzyl)-α-D-galactopyranosyl}-β-D-galactopyranoside (13). Compound 12
(0.159 g, 0.213 mmol), 17 (donor) (0.252 g, 0.427 mmol) and NIS (0.097 g, 0.429 mmol) were dried
under vacuum and in the absence of light for 2 h. Distilled THF-CH2Cl2 (1:1, 8 mL) and TfOH (0.1 M
in CH2Cl2, 0.001 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature in absence
of light for 2 h. The mixture was then concentrated and the residue was purified with preparative
1
HPLC (20–100% CH3CN in H2O, 50 min) to give 13 (0.100 g) in 39% yield. H-NMR (CDCl3) δ
8.05–7.91 (m, 4H, ArH), 7.52 (t, 1H, J = 7.5 Hz, ArH), 7.49–7.40 (m, 3H, ArH), 7.39–7.19 (m, 15H,
ArH), 7.12–6.94 (m, 8H, ArH), 5.64 (dd, 1H, J = 7.8 and 10.8 Hz, H-2), 5.37 (s, 1H, -CH2-), 5.14 (dd,
1H, J = 2.6 and 10.8 Hz, H-3), 5.09 (s, 2H, -COOCH2-), 5.06 (d, 1H, J = 3.3 Hz, H-1´), 4.72–4.92 (m,
4H), 4.65 (d, 1H, J = 7.8 Hz), 4.41 (d, 1H, J = 2.6 Hz, H-4), 4.33 (d, 1H, J = 2.6 Hz), 4.27 (d, 2H,
J = 2.6 Hz), 4.23 (dd, 1H, J = 3.2 and 10.2), 4.12 (dd, 1H, J = 3.3 and 10.2 Hz, H-2´), 4.02–3.85 (m,
3H, -OCHHCH2-), 3.84 (t, 1H, J = 6.4 Hz), 3.65 (dd, 1H, J = 6.1 and 9.7 Hz), 3.55–3.46 (m, 1H,
-OCHHCH2-), 3.37 (dd, 2H, J = 12.6 and 61.2 Hz, H-6´), 3.10–3.00 (m, 2H, -CH2CH2NH-), 1.62–1.44
(m, 2H, -OCH2CH2-), 1.35–1.12 (m, 6H, -OCH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2NH-); 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 167.3
(J = 14.2 Hz), 165.0 (J = 25.0 Hz), 164.8 (J = 21.0 Hz), 161.9 (J = 27.2 Hz), 159.4 (J =27.0 Hz),
156.5, 138.2, 138.0, 136.8, 132.4 (J = 9.3 and 15.3 Hz), 130.7 (J = 4.10 Hz), 130.1 (J = 3.4 Hz), 129.2
(J = 4.7 Hz), 128.9, 128.6, 128.5, 128.2, 128.1, 127.7, 126.4, 126.1, 125.9, 125.8, 125.7, 125.6
(J = 3.7 Hz), 124.1 (J = 3.5 Hz), 124.0 (J = 10.0 Hz), 116.0 (J = 23.4 Hz), 115.8 (J = 22.7 Hz), 115.2
(J =28.5 Hz), 101.4, 100.8, 77.3, 76.7, 76.0, 75.9, 74.6, 74.3, 74.0, 73.2, 70.1, 70.0, 69.1, 68.0, 67.9,
19
66.8, 64.9 (J = 3.9 Hz), 63.4, 40.9, 29.9, 29.4, 26.5, 25.6; F-NMR (CDCl3) δ -104.4, -105.5, -118.7,
25
-119.3; [α]D +87.1° (c 1.0, CH2Cl2); MS(ES+) calculated for C68H68F4NO15 (M+H) 1214.45,
found 1214.85.
6-Aminohexyl 4-O-α-D-galactopyranosyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (15). Compound 13 (0.048 g,
0.040 mmol) was dissolved in dry MeOH (12 mL) and NaOMe in MeOH (0.40 mL, 0.40 mmol) was
slowly added. The solution was stirred for 1.5 h in room temperature and AcOH was then added until
the pH was neutral. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and subsequent purification by preparative
HPLC (5–100% CH3CN in H2O, 50 min) gave 14 (0.034 g) in 89% yield. Compound 14
(0.032 g, 0.033 mmol) was then dissolved in AcOH (5 mL) and Pd(C) (0.044 mg) was added. The
slurry was stirred under H2 (g) for 31 h. The Pd catalyst was removed by filtration through Celite and
the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by preparative HPLC (0–100%
CH3CN in H2O, 50 min) to give 15 (7.2 mg) in 50% yield.1H-NMR (D2O) δ 4.97 (d, 1H, J = 3.7 Hz,
H-1´), 4.49 (d, 1H, J = 7.7 Hz, H-1), 4.41–4.35 (m, 1H), 4.04 (d, 2H, J = 2.6 Hz), 3.97–3.81 (m, 5H),
3.80–3.58 (m, 5H), 3.57–3.50 (m, 1H), 3.01 (t, 2H, J = 7.5 Hz, -CH2NH2), 1.73–1.61 (m, 4H,
-OCH2CH2-, -CH2CH2NH2), 1.48–1.36 (m, 4H, -OCH2CH2CH2CH2-); 13C-NMR (D2O) δ 103.5 (C-1),
100.8 (C-1´), 77.8, 75.7, 73.1, 71.7, 71.4, 71.0, 69.8, 69.7, 69.4, 61.2, 60.8, 40.1 (-CH2NH2),
29.2 (-CH2CH2NH2), 27.2 (-OCH2CH2-), 25.9 (-CH2C H2CH2NH2), 25.3 (-OCH2CH2CH2-); [α]D25
+38.8° (c 1.0, H2O); MS(ES+) calculated for C18H36NO (M+H) 442.23, found 442.25.
4-Methylphenyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-2,3-di-O-(2-fluorobenzyl)-1-thio-β-D-galactopyranoside (17).
Compound 16 [15] (0.401 g, 1.071 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (6 mL) and stirred at 0 ºC for 30 min

Molecules 2010, 15
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before NaH (60% oil dispersion, 2.58 mmol) was added. After 10 min 2-fluorobenzyl bromide
(0.311 mL, 2.58 mmol) was added dropwise and the mixture stirred at room temperature for 18 h. The
reaction was quenched with MeOH and the mixture was diluted with CH2Cl2 and washed with H2O.
The crude was concentrated and purified with flash column chromatography (n-heptane-EtOAc 5:1) to
give 17 (0.522 g) as a white solid in 83%. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.75–7.68 (m, 2H, ArH), 7.66–7.56 (m,
2H, ArH), 7.55–7.40 (m, 4H, ArH), 7.37–7.26 (m, 2H, ArH), 7.20 (t, 1H, J = 7.4 Hz, ArH), 7.16–7.02
(m, 5H, ArH), 5.57 (s, 1H, PhCH-), 4.84 (s, 2H, oFPhCH2O-), 4.80 (dd, 2H, J = 10.8 and 126.8 Hz,
oFPhCH2O-), 4.65 (d, 1H, J = 9.3 Hz, H-1), 4.44 (d, 1H, J = 9.3 Hz, H-6), 4.31 (d, 1H, J = 2.7 Hz,
H-4), 4.06 (d, 1H, J = 12.3 Hz, H-6), 3.92 (t, 1H, J = 9.3 Hz, H-2), 3.71 (dd, 1H, J = 2.7 and 9.3 Hz,
H-3), 4.46 (s, 1H, H-5), 2.28 (s, 3H, -PhCH3); 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 161.7 (J = 16.2 Hz), 159.3
(J = 16.9 Hz), 138.0, 137.7, 133.4, 130.6 (J = 4.2 Hz), 130.3 (J = 4.1 Hz), 129.7, 129.5 (J = 8.2 Hz),
129.3 (J = 8.0 Hz), 129.0, 128.7, 128.1, 126.7, 125.7 (J = 14.6 Hz), 125.1 (J = 14.6 Hz), 124.1
(J = 3.4 and 15.2 Hz), 115.1 (J = 21.5 Hz), 101.2, 86.5, 81.7, 75.3, 73.3, 69.8, 69.4, 68.4 (J = 4.0 Hz),
64.9 (J = 3.8 Hz), 21.2; 19F-NMR (CDCl3) δ -119.1, -119.6; MS(ES+) calculated for C34H33F2O5S
591.20 (M+H), found 591.25.
4. Conclusions
The 2-[(4-fluorophenyl)sulfonyl]ethoxy carbonyl (Fsec) group has been evaluated as a novel
O-protecting group. The protective group reagent Fsec-Cl is prepared in high yield in three steps and
can be used to protect unreactive and sterically hindered alcohols, e.g., the 4-OH in galactose. The
Fsec group is efficiently removed under mild basic conditions e.g., 20% piperidine in DMF or 1.1 eq.
TBAF in THF. In addition the group was found to be stable in 5% TFA in THF and neat acetic acid. A
4-O-Fsec protected galactose donor was prepared and successfully applied in the synthesis of
6-aminohexyl galabioside. The Fsec group can be used for solution synthesis as well as solid-phase
synthesis monitored by gel-phase 19F-NMR spectroscopy.
Acknowledgements
We thank the Swedish National Research Council, and the Kempe Foundations for support.
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Sample Availability: Please contact the authors.
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