10.1016/S0008-6215(01)00041-6
The study focused on the synthesis and identification of specific non-2-ulosonic acids, namely 5,7-diacetamido-3,5,7,9-tetradeoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto- and -D-glycero-D-talo-non-2-ulosonic acids, which are components of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS). These compounds play a crucial role in the serological specificity of gram-negative bacteria and contribute to the bacterial surface's physicochemical properties. The chemicals used in the study included 2,4-diacetamido-2,4,6-trideoxy-D-mannose, oxalacetic acid, and sodium tetraborate. These were utilized in the condensation process to synthesize the target non-2-ulosonic acids. The study's purpose was to unambiguously identify these higher sugars, determine their absolute configuration, and differentiate them from their L-glycero-D-galacto and L-glycero-D-talo isomers, which were previously synthesized. This was achieved through the comparison of 1H and 13C NMR data, specific optical rotation values, and the analysis of natural compounds, enabling the identification of derivatives of 5,7-diamino-3,5,7,9-tetradeoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-non-2-ulosonic acid (legionaminic acid) and its epimers in bacterial LPS.