Synthesis and biological relevance of N-acetylglucosamine-containing oligosaccharides

Abstract

The structural diversity as well as the biological significance of N-acetyl-glucosamine-containing glycans are exemplified. The problem of forming the respective glycosidic bonds of synthetic targets is addressed. Special emphasis has been given to human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), in view of their biological relevance, and synthetic approaches of selected examples are reported. © 2007 IUPAC.