A Synthesis of 2-Amino-2,6-dideoxy-D-(and L-)galaetose (Fucosamine) and 2-Amino-2,6-dideoxy-D-(and L-)talose (Pneumosamine)
5-Deoxy-D-lyxose underwent base-catalyzed addition with nitromethane to give a mixture of 1,6-dideoxy-1-nitro-D-galactitol and 1,6-dideoxy-1-nitro-D-talitol (ca. 2:1). Acetylation of the crystalline 1,6-dideoxy-1-nitro-D-galactitol gave 2,3,4,5-tetra-O-acetyl-1,6-dideoxy-1-nitro-D-galactitol which on treatment with methanolic ammonia afforded 2-acetamido-1,2,6-trideoxy-1-nitro-D-talitol and 2-acetamido-1,2,6-trideoxy-1-nitro-D-galactitol (ca. 3:1) which under the modified Nef reaction conditions gave 2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-D-talose and 2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-D-galactose respectively. The glycoses were converted to 2-amino-2,6-dideoxy-D-talose hydrochloride and 2-amino-2,6-dideoxy-D-galactose hydrochloride on hydrolysis with hydrochloric acid.A similar reaction sequence applied to 5-deoxy-L-lyxose afforded the L-enantiomorphic intermediates, and gave 2-amino-2,6-dideoxy-L-talose hydrochloride and 2-amino-2,6-dideoxy-L-galactose hydrochloride as final products.