Size Matters: Chemical Synthesis of a Homogenous Arabinogalactan 92-mer.

31+30+31: Ye and colleagues have synthesized a branched 92-mer of arabinogalactan-a major component of the cell wall of M. tuberculosis-by linking a linear oligogalactan 30-mer with two d-arabinofuranose 31-mers. Their approach capitalizes on sequential, one-pot glycosylation reactions that result in a rapid increase in molecular complexity and efficient synthesis of a branched oligosaccharide.