Synthesis of a glucoheptaose and a glucooctaose that elicit phytoalexin accumulation in soybean.

The glucoheptaose 1 and the glucooctaose 2 have been synthesized using unambiguous methods. The former is identical with an elicitor-active heptasaccharide obtained from partially hydrolyzed mycelium of Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. glycinea. The octasaccharide is also elicitor active, although to a lesser extent than the heptasaccharide. 1:R = H; 2:R = beta-D-Glcp. (Formula: see text)