Glycosidic juvenogens: derivatives bearing alpha,beta-unsaturated ester functionalities.

Abstract A series of the protected alkyl glycosides 5a / 5b – 12a / 12b was synthesized from the parent isomeric alcohols (insect juvenile hormone bioanalogs; juvenoids), 4-[4′-(2″-hydroxycyclohexyl)methylphenoxy]-3-methyl-but-2-enoic acid ethyl ester ( 1a / 1b – 4a / 4b ; racemic structures) and ( 1a – 4a ; enantiopure structures). Cadmium carbonate was used as a promoter of this Koenigs–Knorr reaction, and the products were obtained in 82–92% yields. Deprotection of the carbohydrate functionality of 5a / 5b – 12a / 12b was carefully performed using ethanolysis in the presence of zinc acetate, due to the presence of another ester functionality in the aglycone part of the molecule of protec…