Synthetic Cyclic Oligosaccharides-Syntheses and Structural Properties of a Cyclo[(1 → 4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-α-D-mannopyranosyl]trioside and -tetraoside

An efficient polycondensation-cyclization approach to the synthesis of cyclodextrin analogues is demonstrated by the preparation of cyclohexaoside 1 and cyclooctaoside 2. The key intermediate, disaccharide 3, bearing the cyanoethylidene group as a glycosyl donor function and the trityloxy group as a glycosyl acceptor function was prepared in 15 steps starting from L-rhamnose and D-mannose. The crucial cyclooligomerization of the disaccharide monomer 3 was carried out in the presence of TrClO₄ as a promoter with the use of ultra-dry conditions at normal concentrations. This reaction led to formation of the cyclic oligosaccharides 28 and 29 (in 34 and 31% yield, respectively), which were deprotected to afford 1 and 2, respectively. The X-ray crystal structural analysis of the cyclooctaoside 2 reveals a cylindrical shape for the cyclic oligosaccharide with C₄ symmetry. Individual molecules of 2 are arranged perfectly in stacks that form nanotubes in the solid state.