Analysis by the reductive-cleavage method of linkage positions in a polysaccharide containing 4-linked D-glucopyranosyluronic residues

Structure and conformation of a novel genetically engineered polysaccharide P2

A new exocellular polysaccharide (P2) has been produced by the manipulation of a glycosyl transferase gene (aceP) involved in the biosynthesis of the polysaccharide acetan by the bacterium Acetobacter xylinum strain CKE5. The P2 polysaccharide has been studied by methylation analysis, reductive cleavage, and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The data are consistent with the structure predicted when the aceP gene is deactivated: [Molecular structure: see text]. The effect of cooling on proton NMR line width indicates a coil-helix transition in P2 at about 70 degrees C.

Reductive cleavage of the positional isomers of benzoylated and methylated methyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside

The four O-benzoyl-tri-O-methyl positional isomers, the six di-O-benzoyl-di-O-methyl positional isomers, the four tri-O-benzoyl-O-methyl positional isomers, and the tetra-O-benzoyl derivative of methyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside were synthesized, characterized, and subjected to reductive cleavage in the presence of triethylsilane and trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate. The reactions were monitored by 1H NMR spectroscopy in order to establish the rates of the reactions and the identities of the products so formed. The tetra-O-benzoyl derivative, all tri-O-benzoyl-O-methyl positional isomers, and the 2.4-di-O-benzoyl-3.6-di-O-methyl positional isomer were fully stable to reductive-cleavage conditions, but the other di-O-benzoyl-di-O-methyl positional isomers and all O-benzoyl-tri-O-methyl positional isomers were converted to their respective 1.5-anhydro-D-mannitol derivatives via reductive cleavage of their anomeric carbon-oxygen bonds. For the mono-O-benzoyl positional isomers, the rate of reductive cleavage decreased in the order 2-O-benzoyl > 6-O-benzoyl > 3-O-benzoyl approximately 4-O-benzoyl. Moreover, all mono-O-benzoyl positional isomers were cleaved at a much faster rate than the di-O-benzoyl positional isomers. These results suggest that both anchimeric assistance and inductive effects of the ester groups contribute to the observed reaction rate. Based upon these results it is suggested that reductive cleavage of benzoylated polysaccharides might serve as a means to cleave selectively at branched residues.

Reductive cleavage of glycosides with borane complexes in the presence of boron trifluoride etherate

Mixtures consisting of five equivalents each of borane.methyl sulfide and boron trifluoride etherate per equivalent of acetal or five equivalents of various amine-borane complexes and 10 equivalents of boron trifluoride etherate readily accomplished reductive cleavage of the glycosidic linkages of several per-O-methylated monosaccharides and polysaccharides. In all cases, the expected products were obtained in the expected molar proportions and no artifactual products were observed. Reductive-cleavage analysis using these reagents is particularly convenient because the reagents themselves are easy to handle and because subsequent acetylation of the products is accomplished in situ.

Synthesis and characterization of authentic standards for the reductive-cleavage method. The positional isomers of partially methylated and acetylated or benzoylated 1,4-anhydro-L-fucitol

Described herein is the synthesis of all positional isomers of methylated and acetylated or benzoylated 1,4-anhydro-L-fucitol. The benzoates are generated simultaneously from 1,4-anhydro-L-fucitol by sequential partial methylation and benzoylation or sequential partial benzoylation and methylation. The individual isomers are obtained in pure form by high-performance liquid chromatography. Debenzoylation and acetylation provided the corresponding acetates. The 1H NMR spectra of the benzoates and the electron-ionization mass spectra of the acetates and the tri-O-methyl derivative are reported herein as are the linear temperature programmed gas-liquid chromatography retention indices of the acetates and the tri-O-methyl derivative on three different capillary columns.

Synthesis and characterization of authentic standards for the analysis of ribofuranose-containing carbohydrates by the reductive-cleavage method

Described herein is the synthesis of all positional isomers of partially methylated and acetylated or benzoylated 1,4-anhydro-D-ribitol. The benzoates are generated simultaneously from 1,4-anhydro-D-ribitol by sequential partial methylation and benzoylation or sequential partial benzoylation and methylation. The individual isomers are obtained in pure form by high-performance liquid chromatography. Debenzoylation and acetylation provided the corresponding acetates. Reported herein are the 1H NMR spectra of the benzoates and the electron-ionization mass spectra of the acetates and the tri-O-methyl derivative and also for the acetates and the tri-O-methyl derivative, their linear temperature programmed gas-liquid chromatography retention indices on three different capillary columns.

Authentic standards for the reductive-cleavage method. The positional isomers of partially methylated and acetylated or benzoylated 1,4-anhydro-D-xylitol

Described herein is a general method for the synthesis of all positional isomers of methylated and acetylated or benzoylated 1,4-anhydro-D-xylitol. The benzoates are generated simultaneously from 1,4-anhydro-D-xylitol by sequential partial methylation and benzoylation or sequential partial benzoylation and methylation. The individual isomers are obtained in pure form by high-performance liquid chromatography. Debenzoylation and acetylation provided the corresponding acetates. The 1H NMR spectra of the benzoates and the electron ionization mass spectra of the acetates and the tri-O-methyl derivative are reported herein as are the linear temperature programmed gas-liquid chromatography retention indices of the acetates and the tri-O-methyl derivative on three different capillary columns.

Authentic standards for the reductive-cleavage method. The positional isomers of partially methylated and acetylated or benzoylated 1,5-anhydro-D-galactitol

Described herein is an efficient method for the synthesis of the sixteen positional isomers of methylated and acetylated or benzoylated 1,5-anhydro-D-galactitol. The compounds are generated simultaneously by partial methylation of 1,5-anhydro-D-galactitol and subsequent benzoylation, and the individual isomers are obtained in pure form by high-performance liquid chromatography. Debenzoylation and acetylation yielded the desired acetates. Reported herein are the 1H NMR spectra of the benzoates and the electron-ionization mass spectra of the acetates and the tetra-O-methyl derivative. Also reported for the acetates and the tetra-O-methyl derivative are their linear temperature-programmed gas-liquid chromatography retention indices on three different capillary columns.

A partial reductive-cleavage study of the capsular polysaccharide of Escherichia coli K57

Trideuteriomethylated and methylated derivatives of the capsular polysaccharide of Escherichia coli K57 were partially cleaved by Et3SiH, using Me3SiOSO2 Me and Me3SiOSO2CF3 as catalysts, to produce oligosaccharide-anhydroalditols. The structures of the trideuteriomethylated trisaccharide- and tetrasaccharide-anhydroalditols isolated were established by FABMS and NMR spectroscopy. Although conditions for the selective production of the tetrasaccharide-anhydroalditol could not be established, oligosaccharide-anhydroalditols were isolated in sufficiently high yield to make this an attractive approach for the structural elucidation of the repeating units of bacterial polysaccharides.

Structural analysis of sialic acid-containing carbohydrates by the reductive-cleavage method

The applicability of the reductive-cleavage method to the structural analysis of sialic acid-containing carbohydrates was investigated using fully methylated methyl alpha- and beta-N-acetylneuraminic acid (1 and 2, respectively). Both compounds were fully stable to reductive cleavage in the presence of borane dimethylsulfide and boron trifluoride etherate but were slowly degraded in the presence of triethylsilane and promoters such as trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate, boron trifluoride etherate, or a mixture of trimethylsilyl methanesulfonate and boron trifluoride etherate. However, after selective reduction of the ester groups of 1 and 2 with sodium borohydride, the products (3 and 4, respectively) underwent rapid reductive cleavage to yield the expected anhydroalditols, which were characterized as their acetates (8 and 11) by GLC-MS. The major product was also characterized as its benzoate (9) by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The usefulness of this analytical method was demonstrated using 3'-sialyllactose, i.e., alpha-Neu5Ac-(2-->3)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-D-Glc. The methylated and ester-reduced trisaccharide (13) was reductively cleaved with Me2S.BH3-BF3.ET2O and the products were acetylated. Analysis by GLC-MS revealed the products expected from terminal (nonreducing) Neu5Ac (8 and 11), 3-linked Galp (16), and 4-linked Glcp (15) residues in relative molar ratios of 1.2:1.0:1.0, respectively. However, direct reductive cleavage of the fully methylated trisaccharide (12) yielded the fully methylated disaccharide-anhydroalditol derivative alpha-Neu5Ac-(2-->3)-1,5An-D-Gal (14) and the product (15) derived from 4-linked Glcp residues. These experiments therefore established both the composition and the sequence of the trisaccharide.

Authentic standards for the reductive-cleavage method. The positional isomers of partially methylated and acetylated or benzoylated 1,5-anhydro-D-fucitol

Described herein is an efficient method for the synthesis of the eight positional isomers of methylated and acetylated or benzoylated 1,5-anhydro-D-fucitol. The compounds are generated simultaneously by partial methylation of 1,5-anhydro-D-fucitol and subsequent benzoylation, and the individual isomers are obtained in pure form by high-performance liquid chromatography. Debenzoylation of the latter and acetylation yielded the desired acetates. Reported herein are the 1H NMR spectra of the benzoates and the electron-ionization mass spectra of the acetates and the tri-O-methyl derivative. Also reported for the acetates and the tri-O-methyl derivative are their linear temperature programmed gas-liquid chromatography retention indices on three different capillary columns.

Carbohydrate analysis of water-soluble uronic acid-containing polysaccharides with high-performance anion-exchange chromatography using methanolysis combined with TFA hydrolysis is superior to four other methods

Sulfuric acid hydrolysis according to the Saeman procedure, TFA hydrolysis, and methanolysis combined with TFA hydrolysis were compared for the hydrolysis of water-soluble uronic acid-containing polysaccharides originating from fungi, plants, and animals. The constituent sugar residues released were subsequently analyzed by either conventional GLC analysis of alditol acetates or high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed-amperometric detection. It was shown that TFA hydrolysis alone is not sufficient for complete hydrolysis. Sulfuric acid hydrolysis of these polysaccharides resulted in low recoveries of 6-deoxy-sugar residues. Best results were obtained by methanolysis combined with TFA hydrolysis. Methanolysis with 2 M HCl prior to TFA hydrolysis resulted in complete liberation of monosaccharides from pectic material and from most fungal and animal polysaccharides tested. Any incomplete hydrolysis could be assessed easily by HPAEC, by the detection of characteristic oligomeric products, which is difficult using alternative methods currently in use. Methanolysis followed by TFA hydrolysis of 20 micrograms water-soluble uronic acid containing polysaccharides and subsequent analysis of the liberated sugar residues by HPAEC allowed us to determine the carbohydrate composition of these polysaccharides rapidly and accurately in one assay without the need for derivatization.

Studies of model compounds for the analysis of ester-containing polysaccharides by the reductive-cleavage method

The four O-propionyl regioisomers of methyl tri-O-methyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside and the 2- and 3-O-propionyl regioisomers of methyl tri-O-methyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside were subjected to reductive cleavage in the presence of Et3SiH and Me3SiOSO2CF3, BF3.Et2O, or Me3SiOSO2Me-BF3.Et2O. The O-propionyl group was stable when either Me3SiOSO2CF3 or BF3.Et2O was the catalyst, but was slowly reduced to the (1-propyl) ether when Me3SiOSO2Me-BF3.Et2O was the catalyst. Reductive cleavages catalyzed by Me3SiOSO2CF3 were complete in 6 h, those catalyzed by BF3.Et2O required at least 24 h, and those catalyzed by Me3SiOSO2Me-BF3.Et2O required 30 min or less. In the alpha-series, the rate of reductive cleavage decreased in the order 6-O-propionyl greater than 4-O-propionyl greater than 3-O-propionyl much greater than 2-O-propionyl. The reductive cleavage of beta anomers was faster than that of the corresponding alpha anomers. This effect was particularly striking for the alpha and beta anomers of the 2-O-propionyl regioisomer, as would be expected on the basis of a participation reaction.

Analysis of Macrocystis pyrifera and Pseudomonas aeruginosa alginic acids by the reductive-cleavage method

Permethylated alginic acids comprised of 4-linked D-mannopyranosyluronic acid and 4-linked L-gulopyranosyluronic acid residues undergo reductive cleavage to yield, after acetylation, methyl 3-O-acetyl-2,6-anhydro-4,5-di-O-methyl-D-mannonate (2b) and methyl 3-O-acetyl-2,6-anhydro-4,5-di-O-methyl-D-gluconate (3b) as major products. Small amounts (ca. 13%) of ring-contracted products, namely methyl 2-O-acetyl-3,6-anhydro-4,5-di-O-methyl-D-mannonate (9) and methyl 2-O-acetyl-3,6-anhydro-4,5-di-O-methyl-D-gluconate (10), were also observed in these experiments. These results are in marked contrast to previous results on the reductive cleavage of 4-linked D-glucopyranosyluronic acid residues, wherein the ring-contracted product was formed exclusively. Formation of the ring-contracted products could be completely eliminated by reduction (LiAlH4) of ester groups in the permethylated alginic acid prior to reductive cleavage. In the latter experiments, 4,6-di-O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-2,3-di-O-methyl-D-mannitol (5b) and 4,6-di-O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-2,3-di-O-methyl-L-gulitol (6b) were the sole products of reductive cleavage of the 4-linked ManA and 4-linked GulA residues, respectively. However, in the previous experiments it was noted that low yields of permethylated alginic acids were obtained and that extensive depolymerization occurred under methylation conditions. Depolymerization could be avoided and higher yields of permethylated polysaccharides could be obtained, by reduction of the carboxyl groups of the alginic acids prior to methylation. Reductive cleavage of the latter polysaccharides yielded the products expected from 4-linked D-mannopyranosyl and 4-linked L-gulopyranosyl residues, namely 4-O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-D-mannitol (13b) and 4-O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-L-gulitol (14b), respectively. Using the latter analytical strategy, it was established that the Macrocystis pyrifera alginate was comprised of 60% 4-linked ManA and 40% 4-linked GulA residues, whereas the Pseudomonas aeruginosa alginate was comprised of 80% 4-linked ManA and 20% 4-linked GulA residues.

Analysis of a pyruvic acid acetal-containing polysaccharide by the reductive-cleavage method

The applicability of the reductive-cleavage method to the analysis of polysaccharides bearing pyruvic acid acetals has been demonstrated. Direct reductive cleavage of fully methylated gum xanthan yielded the expected products, including 1,5-anhydro-4,6-O-[(S)-1-methoxycarbonylethylidene]-2,3-di-O-methy l-D- mannitol. The latter product was not observed when reductive cleavage was performed subsequent to reduction of ester groups in the fully methylated polysaccharide and mild hydrolysis to remove pyruvic acid acetal substituents. Instead, the latter experiment yielded 1,5-anhydro-2,3-di-O-methyl-D-mannitol, establishing the presence in the polysaccharide of terminal (nonreducing) D-mannopyranosyl groups bearing 4,6-O-(1-carboxyethylidene) substituents. The products of reductive cleavage were characterized, where appropriate, by comparison of the gas chromatographic retention times and chemical ionization- and electron ionization-mass spectra of their acetates to those of authentic standards. Alternatively, the products of reductive cleavage could be characterized without resort to comparison with authentic standards by analysis of the 1H-n.m.r. spectra of their benzoates, which were obtained in pure form by high-performance liquid chromatography. By either method of product characterization, this two-step procedure of analysis reveals the presence of pyruvic-acetal residues in polysaccharides and establishes both the identity of the sugar residue to which they are attached and their positions of attachment.

Analysis of positions of substitution of O-carboxymethyl groups in partially O-carboxymethylated cellulose by the reductive-cleavage method

A method is described for the analysis of positions of substitution of O-carboxylated groups in commercial samples of O-carboxymethylcellulose. Sequential permethylation of the polymer and reductive cleavage gives eight products, which are analyzed as their O-acetyl derivatives by gas-liquid chromatography.

Synthesis and mass spectra of 4-O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-2,3,6-tri-O -(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-D-glucitol and the positional isomers of 4- O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-di-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-O-methyl-D-glucitol and 4-O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-di-O-methyl-D-glucitol

Reductive cleavage of fully methylated, partially O-carboxymethylated cellulose had previously been shown to produce 4-O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-, -2-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-3,6-di-O-methyl-, -3-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-2,6-di-O-methyl-, -6-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-2,3-di-O-methyl-, -2,3-di-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-6-O-methyl-, -2,6-di-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-3-O-methyl-, -3,6-di-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-2-O-methyl-, and -2,3,6-tri-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-D-glucitol. Described herein is the independent synthesis of these derivatives, except for the first, which had been reported. In addition, their 1H-n.m.r. spectra, chemical-ionization (NH3) mass spectra, and electronionization mass spectra are tabulated.

Isolation and analysis by the reductive-cleavage method of linkage positions and ring forms in the Mycobacterium smegmatis cell-wall arabinogalactan

The Mycobacterium smegmatis arabinogalactan polysaccharide has been isolated from the cell wall by saponification and extraction to remove lipids and subsequent solubilization by treatment with lysozyme. Analysis for neutral sugars demonstrated the presence of D-arabinose and D-galactose in a ratio of 3:1, respectively. Reductive cleavage of the fully methylated polysaccharide in the presence of triethylsilane and trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate and subsequent acetylation in situ gave six partially methylated 1,4-anhydroalditol acetates as the major products and three partially methylated 1,5-anhydroalditol acetates as minor products. Partially methylated 1,5-anhydroalditol acetates were not formed when reductive cleavage was accomplished with triethylsilane and a mixture of trimethylsilyl methanesulfonate and boron trifluoride etherate as the catalyst, demonstrating that the polysaccharide is exclusively comprised of furanosyl residues. The partially methylated anhydroalditols so produced were identified by comparison to authentic standards. Their identifies are consistent with the presence in the M. smegmatis arabinogalactan of an octasaccharide repeating unit comprised of a nonreducing terminal D-arabinofuranosyl group, a 2-O-linked D-arabinofuranosyl residue, three 5-O-linked D-arabinofuranosyl residues, a 3,5-di-O-linked D-arabinofuranosyl residue, a 5-O-linked D-galactofuranosyl residue, and a 6-O-linked D-galactofuranosyl residue.

Model studies on the analysis of pyruvic acid acetal-containing polysaccharides by the reductive-cleavage method

The 4,6-O-(1-methoxycarbonylethylidene), -(hydroxyisopropylidene), and -(methoxyisopropylidene) acetals of methyl 2,3-di-O-methyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside were subjected to reductive cleavage in the presence of triethylsilane and trimethylsilyl methanesulfonate-boron trifluoride etherate (Me3SiOMs-BF3.Et2O), BF3.Et2O, or trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (Me3SiOSO2CF3) and the mole fractions of products were determined as a function of reaction time. The 4,6-(1-methoxycarbonylethylidene) acetal was quite stable to reductive-cleavage conditions but isomerization of the initial R,S mixture of diastereomers to the more-stable S diastereoisomer was noted. In addition, a slow, regiospecific, reductive ring-opening of the acetal was observed to give 6-O-[1-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl] derivatives. The 4,6-(hydroxyisopropylidene) acetal was very unstable under reductive-cleavage conditions. Both Me3SiOMs-BF3.Et2O and Me3SiOSO2CF3 catalyzed complete removal of the group, via the intermediate 6-[1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl] ether, but BF3.Et2O gave a mixture of products. The 4,6-(methoxyisopropylidene) acetal was also very labile under reductive-cleavage conditions; Me3SiOMs-BF3.Et2O catalyzed complete removal of the acetal, via the intermediate 6-[1-(methoxymethyl)ethyl]ether, but the intermediate ether was quite stable in the presence of either BF3.Et2O or Me3SiOSO2CF3. It is concluded from these studies that polysaccharides bearing 4,6-O-(1-carboxyethylidene) substituents can be analyzed directly by sequential permethylation and reductive cleavage. It is proposed that the identity of the substituted monomer and the positions of substitution of the acetal can be determined by sequential permethylation, ester reduction, and reductive cleavage.

Synthesis and mass spectra of 4-O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-2,3,6-tri-O-ethyl-D-glucitol and the positional isomers of 4-O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-di-O-ethyl-O- methyl-D-glucitol and 4-O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-O-ethyl-di-O-methyl-D-glucitol

Reductive cleavage of fully methylated, partially O-ethylated cellulose or fully ethylated, partially O-methylated cellulose and subsequent acetylation had previously been shown to produce 4-O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-, -6- O-ethyl-2,3-di-O-methyl-, -3-O-ethyl-2,6-di-O-methyl-, -2-O-ethyl-3,6-di-O- methyl-, -2,3-di-O-ethyl-6-O-methyl-, -2,6-di-O-ethyl-3-O-methyl-, -3,6-di-O- ethyl-2-O-methyl-, and -2,3,6-tri-O-ethyl-D-glucitol. Described herein is the independent synthesis of these derivatives, except for the first (which had been reported); and their 1H-n.m.r. spectra, chemical-ionization (NH3) mass spectra, and electron-impact mass spectra are tabulated.