The conformation of C-glycosyl compounds

NMR investigations of glycan conformation, dynamics, and interactions

Glycans are ubiquitous in nature, decorating our cells and serving as the initial points of contact with any visiting entities. These glycan interactions are fundamental to host-pathogen recognition and are related to various diseases, including inflammation and cancer. Therefore, understanding the conformations and dynamics of glycans, as well as the key features that regulate their interactions with proteins, is crucial for designing new therapeutics. Due to the intrinsic flexibility of glycans, NMR is an essential tool for unravelling these properties. In this review, we describe the key NMR parameters that can be extracted from the different experiments, and which allow us to deduce the necessary geometry and molecular motion information, with a special emphasis on assessing the internal motions of the glycosidic linkages. We specifically address the NMR peculiarities of various natural glycans, from histo-blood group antigens to glycosaminoglycans, and also consider the special characteristics of their synthetic analogues (glycomimetics). Finally, we discuss the application of NMR protocols to study glycan-related molecular recognition events, both from the carbohydrate and receptor perspectives, including the use of stable isotopes and paramagnetic NMR methods to overcome the inherent degeneracy of glycan chemical shifts.

Synthesis of alpha-Gal C-disaccharides

The synthesis of C-disaccharides of α-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-d-galactopyranose (α-Gal), potential tools for studying the biology of α-Gal glycans, is described. The synthetic strategy, centers on the reaction of two easily available precursors 1,2-O-isopropylidene-d-glyceraldehyde and an α-C-glactosyl-E-crotylboronate, which affords a mixture of two diastereomeric anti-crotylation products. The stereoselectivity of this reaction was controlled with (R)- and (S)-TRIP catalysts, and the appropriate diastereomer was transformed to C-linked disaccharides of α-Gal, in which the aglycone segment comprised O-, C- and S-glycoside entities that can enable glycoconjugate synthesis.

Linkage-Editing Pseudo-Glycans: A Reductive α-Fluorovinyl-C-Glycosylation Strategy to Create Glycan Analogs with Altered Biological Activities

The acetal (O-glycoside) bonds of glycans and glycoconjugates are chemically and biologically vulnerable, and therefore C-glycosides are of interest as more stable analogs. We hypothesized that, if the O-glycoside linkage plays a vital role in glycan function, the biological activities of C-glycoside analogs would vary depending on their substituents. Based on this idea, we adopted a "linkage-editing strategy" for the creation of glycan analogs (pseudo-glycans). We designed three types of pseudo-glycans with CH2 and CHF linkages, which resemble the O-glycoside linkage in terms of bond lengths, angles, and bulkiness, and synthesized them efficiently by means of fluorovinyl C-glycosylation and selective hydrogenation reactions. Application of this strategy to isomaltose (IM), an inducer of amylase expression, and α-GalCer, which activates iNKT cells, resulted in the discovery of CH2-IM, which shows increased amylase production ability, and CHF-α-GalCer, which shows activity opposite that of native α-GalCer, serving as an antagonist of iNKT cells.

Conformational energies of reference organic molecules: benchmarking of common efficient computational methods against coupled cluster theory

We selected 145 reference organic molecules that include model fragments used in computer-aided drug design. We calculated 158 conformational energies and barriers using force fields, with wide applicability in commercial and free softwares and extensive application on the calculation of conformational energies of organic molecules, e.g. the UFF and DREIDING force fields, the Allinger's force fields MM3-96, MM3-00, MM4-8, the MM2-91 clones MMX and MM+, the MMFF94 force field, MM4, ab initio Hartree-Fock (HF) theory with different basis sets, the standard density functional theory B3LYP, the second-order post-HF MP2 theory and the Domain-based Local Pair Natural Orbital Coupled Cluster DLPNO-CCSD(T) theory, with the latter used for accurate reference values. The data set of the organic molecules includes hydrocarbons, haloalkanes, conjugated compounds, and oxygen-, nitrogen-, phosphorus- and sulphur-containing compounds. We reviewed in detail the conformational aspects of these model organic molecules providing the current understanding of the steric and electronic factors that determine the stability of low energy conformers and the literature including previous experimental observations and calculated findings. While progress on the computer hardware allows the calculations of thousands of conformations for later use in drug design projects, this study is an update from previous classical studies that used, as reference values, experimental ones using a variety of methods and different environments. The lowest mean error against the DLPNO-CCSD(T) reference was calculated for MP2 (0.35 kcal mol-1), followed by B3LYP (0.69 kcal mol-1) and the HF theories (0.81-1.0 kcal mol-1). As regards the force fields, the lowest errors were observed for the Allinger's force fields MM3-00 (1.28 kcal mol-1), ΜΜ3-96 (1.40 kcal mol-1) and the Halgren's MMFF94 force field (1.30 kcal mol-1) and then for the MM2-91 clones MMX (1.77 kcal mol-1) and MM+ (2.01 kcal mol-1) and MM4 (2.05 kcal mol-1). The DREIDING (3.63 kcal mol-1) and UFF (3.77 kcal mol-1) force fields have the lowest performance. These model organic molecules we used are often present as fragments in drug-like molecules. The values calculated using DLPNO-CCSD(T) make up a valuable data set for further comparisons and for improved force field parameterization.

C-Glycosylcrotylboronates for the Synthesis of Glycomimetics

The stereoselective synthesis of E- and Z- isomers of a C- mannosyl crotylpinacolboronate via Ni-promoted reactions on an allylic acetate and a diene precursor, respectively, is described. The E- and Z- isomers reacted with 1,2-O-isopropylidene glyceraldehyde in the presence or absence of (R)- and (S)- TRIP catalysts, to give predominantly 3,4-anti and 3,4-syn crotylation products, respectively, with moderate to high facial selectivity. These products were transformed to biologically relevant C-manno-disaccharides.

Synthesis of C-Glycoinositols from C-Glycosylcrotylstannanes

A strategy for the synthesis of C-pseudodisaccharides that centers on the reaction of a C-linked crotyltin and a substituted pent-4-enal and a ring-closing metathesis-alkene dihydroxylation sequence on the derived crotylation products is illustrated in the preparation of analogues of the insulin modulatory inositol galactosamine-β-(1 → 4)-3-O-methyl-d- chiro-inositol (β-INS-2). The modularity of this approach and versatility of the pivotal crotylation products make this a potentially general methodology for diverse libraries of C-glycoinositols.

Limitations in the description of conformational preferences of C-disaccharides: The (1 → 3)-C-mannobiose case

Conformational preferences of two C-glycosyl analogues of Manp-(1 → 3)-Manp, were studied using a combined method of theoretical and experimental chemistry. Molecular dynamics was utilized to provide conformational behavior along C-glycosidic bonds of methyl 3-deoxy-3-C-[(α-d-mannopyranosyl)methyl]-α-d- and l-mannopyranosides. The OPLS2005 and Glycam06 force fields were used. Simulations were performed with explicit water (TIP3P) and methanol. Results were compared with a complete conformational scan at the MM4 level with the dielectric constant corresponding to methanol. In order to verify predicted conformational preferences, vicinal ³J_HH NMR coupling constants were calculated by the Karplus equation on simulated potential energy surfaces (PES). A set of new parameters for the Karplus equation was also designed. Predicted ³J_HH were compared with experimental data. We also used reverse methodology, in which the ³J_HH coupling constants were calculated at the DFT level for each family of (ϕ, ψ)-conformers separately and then experimental values were decomposed onto calculated ³J_HH couplings in order to obtain experimentally derived populations of conformers. As an alternative method of evaluation of preferred conformers, analysis of sensitive ¹³C chemical shifts was introduced. We were able to thoroughly discuss several fundamental issues in predictions of preferred conformers of C-saccharides, such as the solvent effect, reliability of the force field, character of empirical Karplus equation or applicability of NMR parameters in predictions of conformational preferences in general.

Synthesis of β-galactosylamides as ligands of the peanut lectin. Insights into the recognition process

The synthesis of mono and divalent β-galactosylamides linked to a hydroxylated chain having a C2 symmetry axis derived from l-tartaric anhydride is reported. Reference compounds devoid of hydroxyl groups in the linker were also prepared from β-galactosylamine and succinic anhydride. After functionalization with an alkynyl residue, the resulting building blocks were grafted onto different azide-equipped scaffolds through the copper catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition. Thus, a family of structurally related mono and divalent β-N-galactopyranosylamides was obtained and fully characterized. The binding affinities of the ligands towards the model lectin PNA were measured by the enzyme-linked lectin assay (ELLA). The IC₅₀ values were significantly higher than that of galactose but the presence of hydroxyl groups in the aglycone chain improved lectin recognition. Docking and molecular dynamics experiments were in accordance with the hypothesis that a hydroxyl group properly disposed in the linker could mimic the Glc O3 in the recognition process. On the other hand, divalent presentation of the ligands led to lectin affinity enhancements.

Conformational flexibility around the Gal-β-(1 → 3)-Glc linkage: Experimental evidence for the existence of the anti-ψ conformation in aqueous solution

NOE-based analysis of the disaccharide β-Gal-(1 → 3)-β-Glc-OMe (1), especially a diagnostic Gal1-Glc4 NOE detected in a HSQC-NOESY spectrum, reveals the existence of the anti-ψ conformer in aqueous solution in addition to the major syn conformer. This result provides experimental proof of conformational flexibility around the aglyconic bond of β-(1 → 3) disaccharides, in contrast to previous studies that suggested that the flexibility around this linkage was restricted to the syn conformational region.

Methylene Homologues of Artemisone: An Unexpected Structure-Activity Relationship and a Possible Implication for the Design of C10-Substituted Artemisinins

We sought to establish if methylene homologues of artemisone are biologically more active and more stable than artemisone. The analogy is drawn with the conversion of natural O- and N-glycosides into more stable C-glycosides that may possess enhanced biological activities and stabilities. Dihydroartemisinin was converted into 10β-cyano-10-deoxyartemisinin that was hydrolyzed to the α-primary amide. Reduction of the β-cyanide and the α-amide provided the respective methylamine epimers that upon treatment with divinyl sulfone gave the β- and α-methylene homologues, respectively, of artemisone. Surprisingly, the compounds were less active in vitro than artemisone against P. falciparum and displayed no appreciable activity against A549, HCT116, and MCF7 tumor cell lines. This loss in activity may be rationalized in terms of one model for the mechanism of action of artemisinins, namely the cofactor model, wherein the presence of a leaving group at C10 assists in driving hydride transfer from reduced flavin cofactors to the peroxide during perturbation of intracellular redox homeostasis by artemisinins. It is noted that the carba analogue of artemether is less active in vitro than the O-glycoside parent toward P. falciparum, although extrapolation of such activity differences to other artemisinins at this stage is not possible. However, literature data coupled with the leaving group rationale suggest that artemisinins bearing an amino group attached directly to C10 are optimal compounds.

An organocatalytic strategy for the stereoselective synthesis of C-galactosides with fluorine at the pseudoanomeric carbon

The α-fluorination of α- and β-C-ethanals of galactose using Jørgensen catalysts and NFSI was investigated. The crude reaction products were transformed to their primary alcohol or methylenated derivatives, which are versatile precursors to biologically interesting fluorinated glycomimetics. The α-C-glycoside substrate gave moderate to high yields of fluorinated α-C-glycosides with minor amounts of β-C-glycoside analogues. The reactions on the β-C-glycoside were lower yielding but gave exclusively fluorinated β-C-glycosides. For both α- and β-C-glycoside substrates (R) and (S) catalyst showed complementary stereoselectivity. The preparation of difluorinated materials required the use of racemic catalyst as enantiomerically pure catalyst gave intractable mixtures of products. These results are in line with the results for simple achiral aldehydes, and suggest that stereochemistry in the reactions of these chiral, highly substituted, carbohydrate-derived aldehydes are controlled primarily by the chirality in the catalyst.

Conformational Plasticity in Glycomimetics: Fluorocarbamethyl-L-idopyranosides Mimic the Intrinsic Dynamic Behaviour of Natural Idose Rings

Sugar function, structure and dynamics are intricately correlated. Ring flexibility is intrinsically related to biological activity; actually plasticity in L-iduronic rings modulates their interactions with biological receptors. However, the access to the experimental values of the energy barriers and free-energy difference for conformer interconversion in water solution has been elusive. Here, a new generation of fluorine-containing glycomimetics is presented. We have applied a combination of organic synthesis, NMR spectroscopy and computational methods to investigate the conformational behaviour of idose- and glucose-like rings. We have used low-temperature NMR spectroscopic experiments to slow down the conformational exchange of the idose-like rings. Under these conditions, the exchange rate becomes slow in the (19) F NMR spectroscopic chemical shift timescale and allows shedding light on the thermodynamic and kinetic features of the equilibrium. Despite the minimal structural differences between these compounds, a remarkable difference in their dynamic behaviour indeed occurs. The importance of introducing fluorine atoms in these sugars mimics is also highlighted. Only the use of (19) F NMR spectroscopic experiments has permitted the unveiling of key features of the conformational equilibrium that would have otherwise remained unobserved.

C-glycosphingolipid precursors via iodocyclization of homoallyic trichloroacetimidates

The iodocyclization of homoallylic trichloroacetimidates derived from α-C-allyl galactoside were investigated. In line with the stereochemical trend observed for less substituted non-glycosylated frameworks, E and Z substrates delivered stereoselectively the 1,3-anti and 1,3-syn amino alcohol motifs, respectively. These products are advanced precursors to C-glycosides of the potent immunostimulatory glycolipid KRN7000.

A guide into glycosciences: How chemistry, biochemistry and biology cooperate to crack the sugar code

BACKGROUND

The most demanding challenge in research on molecular aspects within the flow of biological information is posed by the complex carbohydrates (glycan part of cellular glycoconjugates). How the 'message' encoded in carbohydrate 'letters' is 'read' and 'translated' can only be unraveled by interdisciplinary efforts.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

This review provides a didactic step-by-step survey of the concept of the sugar code and the way strategic combination of experimental approaches characterizes structure-function relationships, with resources for teaching.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

The unsurpassed coding capacity of glycans is an ideal platform for generating a broad range of molecular 'messages'. Structural and functional analyses of complex carbohydrates have been made possible by advances in chemical synthesis, rendering production of oligosaccharides, glycoclusters and neoglycoconjugates possible. This availability facilitates to test the glycans as ligands for natural sugar receptors (lectins). Their interaction is a means to turn sugar-encoded information into cellular effects. Glycan/lectin structures and their spatial modes of presentation underlie the exquisite specificity of the endogenous lectins in counterreceptor selection, that is, to home in on certain cellular glycoproteins or glycolipids.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding how sugar-encoded 'messages' are 'read' and 'translated' by lectins provides insights into fundamental mechanisms of life, with potential for medical applications.

C-Galactosylceramide: Synthesis and Immunology

A synthetic C-glycoside, α-C-galactosylceramide, is an active immunostimulant in mice. It displays better activity than α-O-galactosylceramide in several disease models. Syntheses of several α-C-galactosylceramides are described. Experiments that probe its immunostimulant activity are outlined. Possible explanations for its superior activity are discussed.

Structural studies on the interaction of saccharides and glycomimetics with galectin-1: A 3D perspective using a combined molecular modeling and NMR approach

The interaction of a variety of saccharides and mimetics thereof with lectin receptors has been studied using a combination of molecular modeling protocols and NMR spectroscopy techniques. It is shown that both methods complement each other in a synergistic manner to provide a detailed perspective of the conformational and structural features of the recognition process.

D-Arabinose-based synthesis of homo-C-d4T and homo-C-thymidine

2,3,5-Tri-O-benzyl-D-arabinofuranosyl halides (chloride, bromide) were reacted with AllMgBr, MeMgBr, and VinMgBr to furnish anomeric mixtures of the C-glycosyl products. The factors that influenced the beta/alpha ratio are discussed. The alpha,beta-C-vinyl derivative was transformed into 1-deoxy-1-C-hydroxymethyl-beta- and -alpha-D-arabinofuranoses (2,5-anhydro-D-glucitol and -mannitol, respectively), separable after isopropylidenation step. 2,5-Anhydro-1,3-O-isopropylidene-D-glucitol was converted into 2,5-anhydro-6-O-triphenylmethyl-D-erythro-hex-3,4-enitol and 2,5-anhydro-4,6-di-O-benzoyl-3-deoxy-D-ribo-hexitol, which were coupled with N-3-benzoylthymine under the Mitsunobu conditions to furnish two analogs of nucleosides with a -CH(2)- insert between sugar moieties and thymine.

Synthesis of C-glycoside analogues of beta-galactosamine-(1-->4)-3-O-methyl-D-chiro-inositol and assay as activator of protein phosphatases PDHP and PP2Calpha

The glycan beta-galactosamine-(1-4)-3-O-methyl-D-chiro-inositol, called INS-2, was previously isolated from liver as a putative second messenger-modulator for insulin. Synthetic INS-2 injected intravenously in rats is both insulin-mimetic and insulin-sensitizing. This bioactivity is attributed to allosteric activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase (PDHP) and protein phosphatase 2Calpha (PP2Calpha). Towards identification of potentially metabolically stable analogues of INS-2 and illumination of the mechanism of enzymatic activation, C-INS-2, the exact C-glycoside of INS-2, and C-INS-2-OH the deaminated analog of C-INS-2, were synthesized and their activity against these two enzymes evaluated. C-INS-2 activates PDHP comparable to INS-2, but failed to activate PP2Calpha. C-INS-2-OH was inactive against both phosphatases. These results and modeling of INS-2, C-INS-2 and C-INS-2-OH into the 3D structure of PDHP and PP2Calpha, suggest that INS-2 binds to distinctive sites on the two different phosphatases to activate insulin signaling. Thus the carbon analog could selectively favor glucose disposal via oxidative pathways.

New and general synthesis of β-C-glycosylformaldehydes from easily available β-C-glycosylpropanones

A highly effective method for the introduction of a formyl group at the anomeric position of pyranosides was developed via enolisation of beta-C-D-glycopyranosylpropan-2-one using thermodynamic conditions then oxidative cleavage of the more substituted double bond. This sequence affords the desired aldehydes that are conveniently protected as aminals for purification and storage and easily regenerated using Dowex resin H+. In this paper, the syntheses of nine differently protected aldehydes derived from d-glucose, d-galactose, lactose and N-acetyl-d-glucosamine are presented. Our strategy proved to be very efficient in most cases excepted in the D-mannose series.

The solution conformation of C-glycosyl analogues of the sialyl-Tn antigen

The conformational behavior of two C-glycosyl analogues of the sialyl-Tn antigen has been determined by a combination of NMR methods and molecular mechanics calculations. Both compounds show a major solution conformation that is drastically different from the major one of the natural compound.

Synthesis and conformational behavior of the difluoromethylene linked C-glycoside analog of beta-galactopyranosyl-(1<-->1)-alpha-mannopyranoside

C-Glycosides in which the pseudoglycosidic substituent is a methylene group have been advertised as hydrolytically stable mimetics of their parent O-glycosides. While this substitution assures greater stability, the lower polarity and increased conformational flexibility in the intersaccharide linker brought about by this change may compromise biological mimicry. In this regard, C-glycosides, in which the pseudoanomeric methylene is replaced with a difluoromethylene group, are interesting because the CF2 group is more of an isopolar replacement for oxygen than CH2. In addition, the CF2 residue is expected to instill conformational bias into the intersaccharide torsions. Herein is described the synthesis and conformational behavior of the difluoromethylene linked C-glycoside of beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1<-->1)-alpha-D-mannopyranoside. The synthesis centers on the formation of the galactose residue via an oxocarbenium ion-enol ether cyclization. Conformational analysis, using a combination of molecular mechanics, dynamics, and NMR spectroscopy, suggests that the difluoro-C-glycoside populates the non-exo-Gal/exo-Man conformer to a major extent (ca 50%), with a minor contribution ( approximately 15%) from the exo-Gal/exo-Man conformer that corresponds to the ground sate of the parent O-glycoside.

gem-Difluoro-carbasugars, the cases of mannopyranose and galactopyranose

5a-Difluoro-5a-carbamannopyranose (gem-difluoro-carbamannopyranose) and 5a-difluoro-5a-carbagalactopyranose (gem-difluoro-carbagalactopyranose), close congeners of their respective natural sugars, in which the endocyclic oxygen atom has been replaced by a gem-difluoromethylene group, were synthesized from D-mannose and D-galactose, using a rearrangement strategy.

A de novo approach to C-branched inositols: synthesis of a myo-inositol precursor for C-linked glycosyl phosphatidylinositols

C-Linked glycosyl inositols are valuable structure-activity probes because of their greater hydrolytic stability and different conformational behavior compared with their parent O-glycosides. Simple C-branched inositols are synthetic precursors to these and other groups of inositol mimetics. Herein is described a de novo synthesis of C-branched inositols that contain a versatile ethenyl side chain for elaboration into more complex appendages. The approach centers on a stereoselective oxocarbenium ion-allylsilane cyclization and provides C-branched inositols with different stereochemical motifs. The synthesis of C-ethenyl-di-O-isopropylidene-myo-, neo-, epi-, and allo-inositols is discussed.

Chemical biology of the sugar code

A high-density coding system is essential to allow cells to communicate efficiently and swiftly through complex surface interactions. All the structural requirements for forming a wide array of signals with a system of minimal size are met by oligomers of carbohydrates. These molecules surpass amino acids and nucleotides by far in information-storing capacity and serve as ligands in biorecognition processes for the transfer of information. The results of work aiming to reveal the intricate ways in which oligosaccharide determinants of cellular glycoconjugates interact with tissue lectins and thereby trigger multifarious cellular responses (e.g. in adhesion or growth regulation) are teaching amazing lessons about the range of finely tuned activities involved. The ability of enzymes to generate an enormous diversity of biochemical signals is matched by receptor proteins (lectins), which are equally elaborate. The multiformity of lectins ensures accurate signal decoding and transmission. The exquisite refinement of both sides of the protein-carbohydrate recognition system turns the structural complexity of glycans--a demanding but essentially mastered problem for analytical chemistry--into a biochemical virtue. The emerging medical importance of protein-carbohydrate recognition, for example in combating infection and the spread of tumors or in targeting drugs, also explains why this interaction system is no longer below industrial radarscopes. Our review sketches the concept of the sugar code, with a solid description of the historical background. We also place emphasis on a distinctive feature of the code, that is, the potential of a carbohydrate ligand to adopt various defined shapes, each with its own particular ligand properties (differential conformer selection). Proper consideration of the structure and shape of the ligand enables us to envision the chemical design of potent binding partners for a target (in lectin-mediated drug delivery) or ways to block lectins of medical importance (in infection, tumor spread, or inflammation).

Synthesis of C-5-thioglycopyranosides and their sulfonium derivatives from 1-C-(2′-oxoalkyl)-5-S-acetylglycofuranosides

1-C-(2'-oxoalkyl)-5-S-acetylglycofuranosides of L-arabinose, D-ribose, and D-xylose were converted to 1-C-(2'-oxoalkyl)-5-thioglycopyranosides by base treatment. The transformation was achieved through beta-elimination to an acyclic alpha,beta-conjugated aldehyde (ketone or ester), followed by an intramolecular hetero-Michael addition by the 5-thiol group. The cycloaddition was highly stereoselective in favor of an equatorial 1-C-substitution. The resultant C-5-thioglycopyranosides were further converted to the sulfonium salts by treatment with cyclic sulfate and methyl iodide. Two sulfonium isomers were obtained due to the presence of both S-axial and S-equatorial substitutions. We observed that the chemical shifts of both C-1 and C-5 in the S-axial substituted sulfonium sugars are always shifted up-field (5-10 ppm) in comparison to those in the S-equatorial substitutions (deltaC 49-53 ppm vs 42-45 ppm at C-1 and 37-42 ppm vs 32-35 ppm at C-5), which provides an easy way for determination of the stereochemistry.

Stereoselective Synthesis of α- and β-l-C-Fucosyl Aldehydes and Their Utility in the Assembly of C-Fucosides of Biological Relevance

An efficient synthesis of O-benzylated derivatives of the title sugar aldehydes via thiazole addition to tri-O-benzyl-l-fuconolactone followed by highly stereoselective deoxygenation of the resulting thiazolylketose and thiazole to formyl transformation is described. Wittig olefination of these aldehydes with galactopyranose and glucopyranose 6-phosphoranes and reduction of the resulting alkenes afforded alpha- and beta-linked (1-->6)-L-C-fucosyl disaccharides, namely, beta-L-C-Fuc-(1-->6)-alpha-D-Gal, alpha-L-C-Fuc-(1-->6)-alpha-D-Gal, and alpha-L-C-Fuc-(1-->6)-alpha-d-Glc. The alpha-anomer of the above C-fucosyl aldehydes was transformed into a C-fucosylmethyl triphenylphosphonium iodide from which the corresponding C-fucosylmethylene phosphorane was generated upon treatment with BuLi. This phosphorane reacted with the Garner aldehyde (N-Boc D-serinal acetonide) and its one-carbon higher homologue to give alkenes whose reduction and unveiling of the glycinyl group from the oxazolidine ring afforded C-fucosyl alpha-amino acids, namely alpha-L-linked C-fucosyl serines and C-fucosyl asparagines. As a final test of the synthetic utility of the title aldehydes, the beta-anomer was employed as starting material in the stereoselective synthesis of both R- and S-epimer L-C-fucosyl phenylhydroxy acetates. One epimer was obtained by reaction of the sugar aldehyde with phenylmagnesium bromide, oxidation of the resulting alcohol to ketone, addition of 2-lithiothiazole to the latter, and transformation of the thiazole ring into the carboxyl group through an aldehyde intermediate. The other epimer was obtained by the same procedure and inverting the timing of phenyl and thiazolyl group addition. In both routes, the key step establishing the configuration of the quaternary carbon atom of the aliphatic chain was the highly stereoselective addition of the organometal to the ketone intermediate.