Synthesis and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Structural Evaluation of Oxime-Linked Oligosialic Acid-Based Glycodendrimers

A series of four oxime-linked octavalent sialic acid and oligosialic acid poly(ether amidoamine) glycodendrimers were synthesized. In the attachment of the sialic acids to the dendrimer core, chemoselective oxime bonds were formed between the unprotected sugars (sialic acid or α-2,8-linked di- through tetra-sialic acids) and the aminooxy-terminated dendrimer core in a microwave-mediated reaction, resulting in good to excellent yields (58-100%) of the fully functionalized octavalent glycodendrimers. Next, using a combination of 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance and working from the inside outward, we employed a systematic method to assign the proton and carbon signals starting with the smallest linkers and dendrimer cores and moving gradually up to the completed octavalent glycodendrimers. Through this approach, the assignment of the protons and carbons was possible, including the E- and Z-isomers related to the oxime dendrimer to sugar connections and relative quantities of each. These glycodendrimers were designed as broad-spectrum inhibitors of viral pathogens.