Methyl 2,3,4-Tri-O-benzyl-α-D-glucuronic Acid, Benzyl Ester (CAS 142797-33-9)

Methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-D-glucuronic acid, benzyl ester, serves as a versatile precursor in carbohydrate chemistry, facilitating the synthesis of complex glycoconjugates and glycomimetics for various research applications. This compound is particularly valuable due to its ability to introduce the glucuronic acid moiety into diverse carbohydrate structures. Glucuronic acid is a key component of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), such as hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate, which play essential roles in extracellular matrix (ECM) biology and cell-cell signaling. By incorporating glucuronic acid derivatives into synthetic glycans, researchers can mimic the structure and function of natural GAGs, enabling the study of ECM interactions, cell adhesion, and tissue development. Additionally, the benzyl ester group provides stability during glycosylation reactions and can be selectively removed under mild conditions, allowing for further modification of the synthesized glycoconjugates. Furthermore, this compound is employed in the synthesis of glycosylated natural products and glycopeptides for investigating carbohydrate-protein interactions and for developing carbohydrate-based materials with applications in biotechnology, biomaterials science, and drug discovery. Overall, methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-D-glucuronic acid, benzyl ester, plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of carbohydrate biology and in the development of novel glycotherapeutics and biomaterials.