Practical Synthesis of the Fluorogenic Enzyme Substrate 4-Methylumbelliferyl α-l-Idopyranosiduronic Acid

Abstract

A practical and concise synthesis of 4-methylumbelliferyl α-l-idopyranosiduronic acid, a fluorogenic enzyme substrate diagnostic for α-l-iduronidase, was accomplished. It features successive radical bromination and radical reduction of easily accessible methyl 4-methyl­umbelliferyl-2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-β-d-glucouronate in four steps with 28% overall yield.