Preparation of two methyl deoxyfluoro-beta-D-galactopyranosides, and their interaction with galactan-specific immunoglobulin A J539 (Fab').

Methyl 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-glactopyranoside (2) and methyl 4-deoxy-4-fluoro-beta-D-glactopyranoside (7) have been prepared, and the possibility of their binding to (1 leads to 6)-beta-D-galactopyranan-specific immunoglobulin A J539 (Fab') has been investigated. Compound 2 does not show binding, whereas 7 does. It appears that the 2-hydroxyl group of methyl beta-D-galactopyranoside may take part in hydrogen bonding to the protein.