Abstract
Sialic acids on the non-reducing terminus of sialylgylcans are abundantly expressed on the surface of mammalian cells. They play vital roles in cell-cell interactions and during infection by pathogenic bacteria and viruses. The chemical synthesis of sialylated glycans has been investigated for more than two decades, and interesting chemistry has been developed for coupling of sialic acid in an α-selective manner. Chemoenzymatic approaches are also now available for stereoselective sialylations. This mini-review focuses on very recent advances in stereoselective chemical sialylations and synthesis of natural sialylglycans using novel strategies, especially for the synthesis of the oligo/polysialic acid structure.
