The synthesis of disaccharides containing alpha -linked GlcNAc or beta -lin
ked ManNAc units from shelf-stable, and yet highly reactive, 2-oximinoglyco
syl donors is described. Access to a preponderance of the disaccharides con
taining either the alpha -linked GlcNAc or beta -Linked ManNAc unit can be
obtained by careful choice of solvent and glycosidation conditions. (C) 200
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