Glycodendrimers are promising inhibitors of microbial infection due to low cytotoxicity, a high number of reactive groups per molecule, and their promising potential as topical agents.  Carbohydrates on the dendrimer surface are capable of binding microbial envelope glycoproteins and preventing attachment with a host cell, particularly derivatives of sialic acid (Neu5Ac). The scope of this research is the synthesis of α-[2-7]-linked Neu5Ac oligosaccharides.  Two sialic acid derivatives capable of forming unique linkages that can withstand biological degradation were each synthesized using a green four-step pathway.  These derivatives were joined by non-glycosidic linkages to form the oligosaccharide surface groups. Future directions for this work involve the incorporation of the oligosaccharides into glycodendrimers, followed by evaluation of the anti-microbial activity and cytotoxicity.

Formation of sialic acid-based oligosaccharides for use in anti-viral glycodendrimers

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.