How to Improve Chemical Synthesis of Laminaribiose on a Large Scale

Abstract

Laminaribiose, which is the simplest  -(1,3)-glucan, is one of the most powerful agents able to increase germi- nation. Its chemical synthesis was revised in detail starting from peracylated donors and easily available glucofuranose protected by acetal groups in the presence of appropriated catalyst and/or promoter. We particularly focused our attention on the nature of the Lewis acid generally required in glycosidic couplings. Finally, an interesting scale-up was performed which allowed us to prepare laminaribiose on a kilogram scale.