Synthesis of new polysialic acid derivatives.

In this paper we report the first synthesis of novel polysialic acid derivatives which is initiated by treatment of polysialic acid with EDC-HCl to yield the inter-residual delta-lactone. Subsequent reaction with amines or hydrazine gives the corresponding polysialic acid amides and hydrazide. Alkylation of the tetrabutylammonium salt of polysialic acid yields polysialic acid esters. In contrast a variety of N-derivatives of polysialic acid can be prepared starting from deacetylated polysialic acid. The N-derivatives prepared in this communication can be used for the Cu-catalyzed as well as Cu-free "click" chemistry.