Single electron/energy transfer photocatalysis: α-/β-switchable synthesis of 3-deoxy-<scp>d</scp>-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid <i>O</i>-glycosides

Stereoselective glycosidation of 3-deoxy-d-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Kdo) has emerged as a focal point in glycoscience, attributed to the burgeoning identification of naturally occurring α- or β-Kdo glycosides within the glycoconjugate structures of various organisms. Nonetheless, advancements in α-/β-switchable stereoselective Kdo <i>O</i>-glycosidation remain scarce due to the complicated synthesis of Kdo donors and the complex chemical environment at the anomeric carbon of Kdo. Herein, inspired by the property that the conditions of the photocatalytic reaction can be facilely controlled and mediated, we report an efficient photocatalytic Ir^III/Cu^II-catalysed Kdo <i>O</i>-glycosidation for the stereoselective synthesis of both α- and β-Kdo <i>O</i>-glycosides with the dual mediation of MeCN and (<i>p</i>-Tol)₂SO. Within a facile photoreactor, the glycosidation reactions were carried out at -78 °C to generate β-Kdo <i>O</i>-glycosides in excellent yields (up to 99%) <i>via</i> the glycosyl nitrilium ion, and at -30 °C to generate α-Kdo <i>O</i>-glycosides in good yields (57-99%) <i>via</i> the oxosulfonium ion. Two crystals of α-Kdo <i>O</i>-glycosides were cultivated to assess the stereochemical configurations. Subsequently, laser flash photolysis, steady-state measurement and ESR spectral measurement were conducted to first reveal a single electron transfer (SET) together with the Dexter energy transfer (EnT) process of the photocatalytic activation by monitoring the trifluoromethyl radical, the cation radical of dibenzothiophene and the cation radical of 4,5,7,8-tetra-<i>O</i>-acetyl-Kdo <i>p</i>-toluenethioglycoside. (TD)-DFT calculations further supported this process and illustrated a S_N2-like mechanism for the attack of hydroxyl acceptors.