Synthesis of hyaluronic acid oligosaccharides and exploration of a fluorous-assisted approach.

The synthesis of hyaluronic acid oligomers (tri- and tetrasaccharide) is described. We have followed a pre-glycosylation oxidation strategy. Glucuronic acid units were directly employed in coupling reactions with suitably protected glucosamine derivatives. In order to simplify the purification of synthetic intermediates, a fluorous-assisted strategy has been also explored. Using this approach, a hyaluronic acid trisaccharide was prepared.