Recent applications of thiol-ene coupling as a click process for glycoconjugation

Area of Science:

• Carbohydrate Chemistry
• Polymer Chemistry
• Organic Synthesis

Background:

• Free-radical thiol-ene coupling (TEC) has seen a resurgence for network assembly and polymer functionalization.
• The application of TEC in carbohydrate chemistry is currently limited but holds significant potential.
• Carbohydrates play crucial roles in biological systems, making their chemical modification important.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the applications of thiol-ene coupling (TEC) in various aspects of glycochemistry.
• To highlight TEC as a green and efficient 'click' reaction for carbohydrate-related synthesis.
• To cover recent advancements, including thiol-yne chemistry in peptide glycosylation.

Main Methods:

• Focuses on the application of free-radical thiol-ene coupling (TEC).
• Discusses the use of visible light as a green catalyst.
• Covers synthesis and assembly of carbohydrate-based structures.

Main Results:

• TEC enables diverse applications in glycochemistry, including modification and synthesis.
• Facilitates the assembly of glycoclusters on various molecular platforms.
• Demonstrates utility in peptide and protein glycosylation, including recent thiol-yne developments.

Conclusions:

• Thiol-ene coupling (TEC) is a powerful and versatile click chemistry tool for glycochemistry.
• TEC offers a green and efficient approach for carbohydrate modification and synthesis.
• The review underscores the growing importance and broad applicability of TEC in carbohydrate science.