How to Improve Chemical Synthesis of Laminaribiose on a Large Scale

Laminaribiose, which is the simplest β-(1,3)-glucan, is one of the most powerful agents able to increase germination. Its chemical synthesis was revised in detail starting from peracylated donors and easily available glucofuranose protected by acetal groups in the presence of appropriated catalyst and/or promoter. We particularly focused our attention on the nature of the Lewis acid generally required in glycosidic couplings. Finally, an interesting scale-up was performed which allowed us to prepare laminaribiose on a kilogram scale.