Synthesis of sulfur containing macrocycles with sucrose scaffold.

The first synthesis of sucrose-based macrocycles containing two sulfur atoms in the ring was presented. The synthesis was initiated from known 6,6′-dideoxy-6,6′-di-chloro-1′,2,3,3′,4,4′-hexa-O-benzyl-sucrose in which both terminal positions (C6 and C6′) were elongated by the -S–CH2–CH2-OH unit. The resulting diol was converted into dichloride and reacted further with a series of diamines which afforded the corresponding macrocyclic derivatives in high yields.