Total Synthesis of <i>Escherichia coli</i> Lipid A, the Endotoxically Active Principle of Cell-Surface Lipopolysaccharide

Abstract

Abstract Chemical syntheses are described of polyacylated β(1→6) glucosamine disaccharide 1,4′-bis(phosphate), which corresponds to the proposed structure of E. coli lipid A, and of its dephospho derivatives. The synthetic bisphosphate proved to be identical with the corresponding natural specimen. The chemical structure of lipid A was thus established.