First Synthesis of Biopterin α-D-Glucoside

A novel glycosyl donor, 4,6-di-O-acetyl-2,3-di-O-(4-methoxy-benzyl)-α-D-glucopyranosy bromide (15) was efficiently prepared from D-glucose in 8 steps. The first synthesis of 2’-O-(α-D-glucopyranosyl)biopterin (2) was achieved by treatment of the key precursor, N(2)-(N,N-dimethylamino- methylene)-1’-O-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl]biopterin (6) with 15 in the presence of silver triflate and tetramethylurea, followed by removal of the protecting groups.