[Synthesis of polydeoxygenated and iodinated disaccharides]

3-Amino-polydeoxy disaccharides have been prepared by condensation of a glycal with methyl 2,3,6-trideoxy-alpha-L-erythro-(or threo)-hex-2-enopyranoside in the presence of N-iodosuccinimide. After acid hydrolysis of the glycoside, 1,4-addition of hydrazoic acid to the corresponding hex-2-enopyranose led to 3-azido-disaccharides which were acetylated. Reduction of the azido group gave 2,2'-dideoxy- or 2,2'-dideoxy-2'-iodo compounds. Condensation of O-(3,4-di-O-acetyl-2,6-dideoxy-2-iodo-alpha-L-manno-hexopy-rano syl)-(1----4)-1- O-acetyl-2,3,6-trideoxy-3-trifluoroacetamido-alpha-L-arabino-he xopyranose with daunomycinone, followed by 3',4'-O-deacetylation produced the new anthracycline, 7-O-[O-(2,6-dideoxy-2-iodo-alpha-L-manno-hexopyranosyl)-(1----4)-2,3,6- trideoxy-3-trifluoroacetamido-alpha-L-arabino-hexopyranosyl]-da uno-mycinone.