Recent development in additive modulated stereoselective glycosidation reactions

Stereoselective glycosidic bond formation (termed “glycosidation”) remains a challenge in carbohydrate chemistry. Despite such difficulty, a variety of innovative strategies have been developed. In particular, additive-modulated stereoselective construction of glycosidic linkages has become an emerging trend. In this review, we summarized the recent progress in this area with respect to common glycosyl donors, including thioglycosides, glycosyl imidates, glycosyl acetates, glycosyl hemiacetals, glycosyl phosphates and glycosyl ortho-alkynylbenzoates. Together with their merits/limitations, these achievements shed light on carbohydrate chemistry and enabled the efficient preparation of complex oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates.