TRITERPENE SAPONIN SYNTHESIS, INTERMEDIATES AND ADJUVANT COMBINATIONS

Abstract

The present application relates to triterpene glycoside saponin-derived adjuvants, syntheses thereof, and intermediates thereto. The application also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of the present invention and methods of using said compounds or compositions in the treatment of and immunization for infectious diseases.

Claims

1. A method of synthesizing a compound according to Formula I or an intermediate thereof, comprising at least one of the following steps (a)-(g): a. purifying semi-purified Quillaja Bark extract as depicted, ##STR00160## b. protecting a hydroxyl with triethylsilyl groups, ##STR00161## c. reacting a triethylsilyl protected compound with C-1, ##STR00162## wherein C-1 is ##STR00163## d. reducing N.sup.3 to NH.sub.2, ##STR00164## e. reacting amine moiety carboxylic acid to from amide linkage ##STR00165## wherein C-2 is OH—C(O)—(CH.sub.2).sub.10—C(O)—OBn; f. deprotecting by hydrogenation ##STR00166## g. deprotecting with trifluoroacetic acid and isolating a compound: ##STR00167## .

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the compound of Formula I is: ##STR00168## .

3. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising: the compound obtained by the process according to claim 2 and an immunologically effective amount of an antigen associated with a bacteria or virus causing a disease selected from the group consisting of Hepatitis B, pneumococcus, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, or Lyme disease including the closely related spirochetes of the genus Borrelia such as, B. burgdorferi, B. garinii, B. afzelli, and B. japonica.

4. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 3, wherein the immunologically effective amount of an antigen is associated with Hepatitis B virus.

5. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 3, wherein the immunologically effective amount of an antigen is associated with pneumococcus bacterium.

6. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 3, wherein the immunologically effective amount of an antigen is associated with Corynebacterium diphtheria bacterium.

7. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 3, wherein the immunologically effective amount of an antigen is associated with Clostridium tetani bacterium.

8. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 3, wherein the immunologically effective amount of an antigen is associated with Bordetella pertussis bacterium.

9. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 3, wherein the immunologically effective amount of an antigen is associated with a bacterium causing Lyme disease or a spirochete of the genus Borrelia selected from the group consisting of B. burgdorferi, B. garinii, B. afzelli, and B. japonica.

10. A method of synthesizing a compound of Formula II, or an intermediate thereof, comprising a reaction step selected from at least one of the following steps: ##STR00169## ##STR00170## ##STR00171## ##STR00172## .

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the compound of Formula II is II SQS-21-Api.

12. A method of synthesizing a compound of Formula II, or an intermediate thereof, comprising a reaction step selected from at least one of the following steps: ##STR00173## ##STR00174## ##STR00175## .

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the compound of Formula II is SQS-21-Xyl.

14. A method of synthesizing a compound of Formula II or an intermediate thereof, comprising a reaction step selected from at least one of the following steps: ##STR00176## ##STR00177## ##STR00178## ##STR00179## ##STR00180## ##STR00181## ##STR00182## ##STR00183## ##STR00184## ##STR00185## ##STR00186## ##STR00187## ##STR00188## ##STR00189## ##STR00190## ##STR00191## ##STR00192## ##STR00193## ##STR00194## ##STR00195## ##STR00196## .

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the compound of Formula II is SQS-21-Xyl or SQS-21-Api.

16. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising: the compound obtained by the process according to claim 10, and an immunologically effective amount of an antigen associated with a bacteria or virus causing a disease selected from the group consisting of Hepatitis B, pneumococcus, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, or Lyme disease including the closely related spirochetes of the genus Borrelia such as, B. burgdorferi, B. garinii, B. afzelli, and B. japonica.

17. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 16, wherein the immunologically effective amount of an antigen is associated with Hepatitis B virus.

18. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 16, wherein the immunologically effective amount of an antigen is associated with pneumococcus bacterium.

19. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 16, wherein the immunologically effective amount of an antigen is associated with Corynebacterium diphtheria bacterium.

20. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 16, wherein the immunologically effective amount of an antigen is associated with Clostridium tetani bacterium.

21. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 16, wherein the immunologically effective amount of an antigen is associated with Bordetella pertussis bacterium.

22. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 16, wherein the immunologically effective amount of an antigen is associated with a bacterium causing Lyme disease or a spirochete of the genus Borrelia selected from the group consisting of B. burgdorferi, B. garinii, B. afzelli, and B. japonica.

23. A process of isolating a compound 19: ##STR00197## said process comprising extracting and purifying the compound 19 from Soapwort seed extract.

24. A process of isolating a mixture of Major Quillaja Prosapogenin and Minor Qillaja Prosapogenin: ##STR00198## ##STR00199## said process comprising extracting and purifying the mixture of Major Quillaja Prosapogenin and Minor Qillaja Prosapogenin from Sortwort seed extract.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0168] FIG. 1 depicts the chemical structure of QS-21-Api and QS-21-Xyl. Percentages correspond to the natural abundance of each isomer in isolated extracts of QS-21.

[0169] FIG. 2 depicts data showing the immunogenicity of high or low dose Prevnar-13 or of Lym2-CRM197 conjugate in combination with synthetic QS-21 (SQS-21) or Compound 26 (TiterQuil-1-0-5-5 / TQL-1055).

[0170] FIG. 3 depicts data showing immunogenicity of Adacel alone or in combination with Compound 26 (TiterQuil-1-0-5-5 / TQL-1055) or QS-21 (Pharm/tox study).

[0171] FIG. 4 depicts data showing immunogenicity of Engerix-B alone or in combination with 10, 30, 100 or 300 mcg of Compound 26 (TiterQuil-1-0-5-5 / TQL-1055).

[0172] FIG. 5 depicts data showing the hemolytic activity of QS-21 at 2uM, 5uM and 20uM, and Compound 26 (TiterQuil-1-0-5-5 / TQL-1055) at 20uM, 100uM and 200uM. % Hemolytic activity reported as % of Triton-X100/SDS lysis control.

[0173] FIGS. 6-31 depict H NMR analyses (CDCl.sub.3) of the materials discussed in Example 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

[0174] The clinical success of anticancer, antiviral and antimicrobial vaccines critically depends on the identification of, and access to, novel potent adjuvants with attenuated toxicity. In this context, specific fractions from extracts of the bark of Quillaja saponaria (QS) have proven to be exceedingly powerful adjuvants in immunotherapy. The QS-21 fraction, comprising isomeric forms of a complex triterpene glycoside saponin had previously been considered the most promising immuno-potentiator in several antitumor (melanoma, breast, small cell lung cancer, prostate) and infectious-disease (HIV, malaria) vaccine therapies.

[0175] However, the tolerated dose of QS-21 in cancer patients typically does not exceed 100-150 .Math.g, above which significant local erythema and systemic flu-like symptoms arise. QS-21′s inherent instability can lead to toxicities associated with its breakdown. It is also known that QS-21 is hemolytic, and this hemolytic activity had previously been hypothesized that at least some of QS-21′s adjuvant activity was related to its hemolytic properties.

[0176] The inventors of the present subject matter have found that compounds of the present application, which are in some embodiments synthetic analogues of QS-21 and other QS extraction fractions such as QS-7, possess significant stand-alone adjuvant activity as well as a high degree of tolerability and/or reduced side-effects. These new adjuvant compounds are more cost-effective to produce than natural QS-21, more stable, more efficacious, and less toxic for use in prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination programs. Some embodiments have no detectable toxicity in pharmacology/toxicology studies in mice at doses close to the likely 1000 mcg human dose. Some embodiments are surprisingly completely nonhemolytic while still retaining their adjuvant properties. This is surprising in part because it was initially thought that both QS-21 toxicity and potency were related to hemolysis and other cellular toxicity associated with QS-21. Some embodiments of the present application exhibit greater stability and less hemolytic activity by replacing the unstable ester linkage of the acyl chain in QS-21 with a very stable amide linkage, resulting in adjuvant active analogs of QS-21. Some embodiments also retain adjuvant activity despite having a simplified structure as compared to QS-21, resulting in higher synthetic yields and significantly reduced synthetic steps and cost of manufacture in comparison to synthetic QS-21.

[0177] The present application also provides efficient semi-synthetic methods of synthesizing the compounds of the present application, thereby significantly reducing the number of synthetic steps required to access this potent class of adjuvants.

[0178] The application also includes pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the present application together with an immunologically effective amount of an antigen associated with a bacterium or virus. Bacterium or viruses included in the subject matter of this application consist of those associated with Hepatitis B, pneumococcus, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, or Lyme disease including the closely related spirochetes of the genus Borrelia such as, B. burgdorferi, B. garinii, B. afzelli, and B. japonica.

[0179] The application also includes methods of vaccinating a human patient comprising administering an immunologically effective amount of a pharmaceutical compositions or of the compounds of the present application. The application also includes methods for increasing the immune response to a vaccine comprising administering an immunologically effective amount of a pharmaceutical compositions or of the compounds of the present application.

Compounds

[0180] Compounds of this invention include those described generally above, and are further illustrated by the classes, subclasses, and species disclosed herein. In some embodiments, provided compounds are analogs of naturally occurring triterpene glycoside saponins and intermediates thereto.

Description of Exemplary Compounds

[0181] In some embodiments, provided compounds are analogs of Quillaja saponins. In some embodiments, provided compounds are prosapogenins. In certain embodiments, provided compounds are analogs of QS-7 and QS-21 and possess potent adjuvant activity.

[0182] In one aspect, the present application provides compounds of Formula I:

##STR00034##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein

##STR00035##

[0183] is a single or double bond; [0184] W is —CHO; [0185] V is hydrogen or OR.sup.x; [0186] Y is CH.sub.2, —O—, —NR—, or —NH—; [0187] Z is hydrogen; a cyclic or acyclic, optionally substituted moiety selected from the group consisting of acyl, aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroacyl, and heteroaryl; or a carbohydrate domain having the structure: [0188] wherein each occurrence of R.sup.1 is R.sup.x or a carbohydrate domain having the structure: wherein: [0189] each occurrence of a, b, and c is independently 0, 1, or 2; [0190] d is an integer from 1-5, wherein each d bracketed structure may be the same or different; with the proviso that the d bracketed structure represents a furanose or a pyranose moiety, and the sum of b and c is 1 or 2; [0191] R.sup.0 is hydrogen; an oxygen protecting group selected from the group consisting of alkyl ethers, benzyl ethers, silyl ethers, acetals, ketals, esters, carbamates, and carbonates; or an optionally substituted moiety selected from the group consisting of acyl, C.sub.1-10 aliphatic, C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, arylalkyl, 5-10 membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, 4-7 membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0192] each occurrence of R.sup.a, R.sup.b, R.sup.c, and R.sup.d is independently hydrogen, halogen, OH, OR, OR.sup.x, NR.sub.2, NHCOR, or an optionally substituted group selected from acyl, C.sub.1-10 aliphatic, C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, arylalkyl, 5-10-membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur; 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0193] R.sup.2 is hydrogen, halogen, OH, OR, OC(O)R.sup.4, OC(O)OR.sup.4, OC(O)NHR.sup.4, OC(O)NRR.sup.4, OC(O)SR.sup.4, NHC(O)R.sup.4, NRC(O)R.sup.4, NHC(O)OR.sup.4, NHC(O)NHR.sup.4, NHC(O)NRR.sup.4, NHR.sup.4, N(R.sup.4).sub.2, NHR.sup.4, NRR.sup.4, N.sub.3, or an optionally substituted group selected from C.sub.1-10 aliphatic, C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, arylalkyl, 5-10 membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0194] R.sup.3 is hydrogen, halogen, CH.sub.2OR.sup.1, or an optionally substituted group selected from the group consisting of acyl, C.sub.1-10 aliphatic, C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, arylalkyl, 5-10-membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, [0195] R.sup.4 is -T-R.sup.z, -C(O)-T-R.sup.z, -NH-T-R.sup.z, -O-T-R.sup.z, -S-T-R.sup.z, -C(O)NH-T-R.sup.z, C(O)O-T-R.sup.z, C(O)S-T-R.sup.z, C(O)NH-T-O-T-R.sup.z, -O-T-R.sup.z, -T-O-T-R.sup.z, -T-S-T-R.sup.z, or wherein [0196] X is —O—, —NR—, or T-R.sup.z; [0197] T is a covalent bond or a bivalent C.sub.1-26 saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched, aliphatic or heteroaliphatic chain; and [0198] R.sup.z is hydrogen, halogen, —OR, —OR.sup.x, —OR.sup.1, —SR, NR.sub.2, —C(O)OR, —C(O)R, -NHC(O)R, -NHC(O)OR, NC(O)OR, or an optionally substituted group selected from acyl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, C.sub.1-6 aliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, 5-10-membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0199] each occurrence of R.sup.x is independently hydrogen or an oxygen protecting group selected from the group consisting of alkyl ethers, benzyl ethers, silyl ethers, acetals, ketals, esters, carbamates, and carbonates; [0200] each occurrence of R is independently hydrogen, an optionally substituted group selected from acyl, arylalkyl, 6-10-membered aryl, C.sub.1-6 aliphatic, or C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, or: [0201] two R on the same nitrogen atom are taken with the nitrogen atom to form a 4-7-membered heterocyclic ring having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

[0202] In one aspect, the present application provides compounds of Formula II:

##STR00040##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein is a single or double bond; [0204] W is Me, —CHO, or [0205] V is hydrogen or OR.sup.x; [0206] Y is CH.sub.2, —O—, -NR-, or —NH—; [0207] Z is hydrogen; a cyclic or acyclic, optionally substituted moiety selected from the group consisting of acyl, aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroacyl, and heteroaryl; or a carbohydrate domain having the structure: wherein each occurrence of R.sup.1 is R.sup.x or a carbohydrate domain having the structure: wherein: [0208] each occurrence of a, b, and c is independently 0, 1, or 2; [0209] d is an integer from 1-5, wherein each d bracketed structure may be the same or different; with the proviso that the d bracketed structure represents a furanose or a pyranose moiety, and the sum of b and c is 1 or 2; [0210] R.sup.0 is hydrogen; an oxygen protecting group selected from the group consisting of alkyl ethers, benzyl ethers, silyl ethers, acetals, ketals, esters, carbamates, and carbonates; or an optionally substituted moiety selected from the group consisting of acyl, C.sub.1-10 aliphatic, C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, arylalkyl, 5-10 membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, 4-7 membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0211] each occurrence of R.sup.a, R.sup.b, R.sup.c, and R.sup.d is independently hydrogen, halogen, OH, OR, OR.sup.x, NR.sub.2, NHCOR, or an optionally substituted group selected from acyl, C.sub.1-10 aliphatic, C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, arylalkyl, 5-10-membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur; 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0212] R.sup.2 is hydrogen, halogen, OH, OR, OC(O)R.sup.4, OC(O)OR.sup.4, OC(O)NHR.sup.4, OC(O)NRR.sup.4, OC(O)SR.sup.4, NHC(O)R.sup.4, NRC(O)R.sup.4, NHC(O)OR.sup.4, NHC(O)NHR.sup.4, NHC(O)NRR.sup.4, NHR.sup.4, N(R.sup.4).sub.2, NHR.sup.4, NRR.sup.4, N.sub.3, or an optionally substituted group selected from C.sub.1-10 aliphatic, C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, arylalkyl, 5-10 membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0213] R.sup.3 is hydrogen, halogen, CH.sub.2OR.sup.1, or an optionally substituted group selected from the group consisting of acyl, C.sub.1-10 aliphatic, C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, arylalkyl, 5-10-membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, [0214] R.sup.4 is -T-R.sup.z, -C(O)-T-R.sup.z, -NH-T-R.sup.z, -O-T-R.sup.z, -S-T-R.sup.z, -C(O)NH-T-R.sup.z, C(O)O-T-R.sup.z, C(O)S-T-R.sup.z, C(O)NH-T-O-T-R.sup.z, -O-T-R.sup.z, -T-O-T-R.sup.z, -T-S-T-R.sup.z, or wherein [0215] X is —O—, —NR—, or T-R.sup.z; [0216] T is a covalent bond or a bivalent C.sub.1-26 saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched, aliphatic or heteroaliphatic chain; and [0217] R.sup.z is hydrogen, halogen, —OR, —OR.sup.x, —OR.sup.1, —SR, NR.sub.2, —C(O)OR, —C(O)R, -NHC(O)R, -NHC(O)OR, NC(O)OR, or an optionally substituted group selected from acyl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, C.sub.1-6 aliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, 5-10-membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0218] each occurrence of R.sup.x is independently hydrogen or an oxygen protecting group selected from the group consisting of alkyl ethers, benzyl ethers, silyl ethers, acetals, ketals, esters, carbamates, and carbonates; [0219] R.sup.y is —OH, —OR, or a carboxyl protecting group selected from the group consisting of ester, amides, and hydrazides; [0220] R.sup.s is [0221] each occurrence of R.sup.x′ is independently an optionally substituted group selected from 6-10-membered aryl, C.sub.1-6 aliphatic, or C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; or: [0222] two R.sup.x′ are taken together to form a 5-7-membered heterocyclic ring having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0223] each occurrence of R is independently hydrogen, an optionally substituted group selected from acyl, arylalkyl, 6-10-membered aryl, C.sub.1-6 aliphatic, or C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, or: [0224] two R on the same nitrogen atom are taken with the nitrogen atom to form a 4-7-membered heterocyclic ring having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

[0225] In one aspect, the present application provides compounds of Formula I:

##STR00049##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein is a single or double bond; [0227] W is —CHO; [0228] V is —OH; [0229] Y is —O—; [0230] wherein Z is a carbohydrate domain having the structure: wherein: [0231] R.sup.1 is independently H or [0232] R.sup.2 is NHR.sup.4; [0233] R.sup.3 is CH.sub.2OH; and [0234] R.sup.4 is -T-R.sup.z, -C(O)-T-R.sup.z, -NH-T-R.sup.z, -O-T-R.sup.z, -S-T-R.sup.z, -C(O)NH-T-R.sup.z, C(O)O-T-R.sup.z, C(O)S-T-R.sup.z, C(O)NH-T-O-T-R.sup.z, -O-T-R.sup.z, -T-O-T-R.sup.z, -T-S-T-R.sup.z, or wherein: [0235] X is —O—, —NR—, or T-R.sup.z; [0236] T is a covalent bond or a bivalent C.sub.1-26 saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched, aliphatic or heteroaliphatic chain; and [0237] R.sup.z is hydrogen, halogen, —OR, —OR.sup.x, —OR.sup.1, —SR, NR.sub.2, -C(O)OR, -C(O)R, -NHC(O)R, -NHC(O)OR, NC(O)OR, or an optionally substituted group selected from acyl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, C.sub.1-6 aliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, 5-10-membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

[0238] It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the compounds of the present application include but are not necessarily limited to those compounds encompassed in the genus definitions set forth as part of the present section. The compounds encompassed by this application include at least all of the compounds disclosed in the entire specification as a whole, including all individual species within each genus.

[0239] In certain embodiments, V is OR.sup.X. In certain embodiments V is OH. In certain embodiments, V is H.

[0240] In certain embodiments, Y is —O—. In certain embodiments, Y is —NH—. In certain embodiments, Y is -NR-. In certain embodiments, Y is CH.sub.2.

[0241] In certain embodiments, Z is hydrogen. In certain embodiments, Z is a cyclic or acyclic, optionally substituted moiety. In certain embodiments, Z is an acyl. In certain embodiments, Z is an aliphatic. In certain embodiments, Z is a heteroaliphatic. In certain embodiments, Z is aryl. In certain embodiments Z is arylalkyl. In certain embodiments, Z is heteroacyl. In certain embodiments, Z is heteroaryl. In certain embodiments, Z is a carbohydrate domain having the structure:

##STR00054##

##STR00055##

[0242] In some embodiments Z is a carbohydrate domain having the structure:

##STR00056##

wherein: [0243] R.sup.1 is independently H or [0244] R.sup.2 is NHR.sup.4, [0245] R.sup.3 is CH.sub.2OH, and [0246] R.sup.4 is selected from:

[0247] In some embodiments, R.sup.1 is R.sup.x. In other embodiments, R.sup.1 a carbohydrate domain having the structure:

##STR00067##

[0248] In some aspects, each occurrence of a, b, and c is independently 0, 1, or 2. In some embodiments, d is an integer from 1-5. In some embodiments, each d bracketed structure may be the same. In some embodiments, each d bracketed structure may be different. In some embodiments, the d bracketed structure represents a furanose or a pyranose moiety. In some embodiments, and the sum of b and c is 1 or 2.

[0249] In some embodiments, R.sup.0 is hydrogen. In some embodiments, R.sup.0 is an oxygen protecting group selected from the group. In some embodiments, R.sup.0 is an alkyl ether. In some embodiments, R.sup.0 is a benzyl ether. In some embodiments, R.sup.0 is a silyl ether. In some embodiments, R.sup.0 is an acetal. In some embodiments, R.sup.0 is ketal. In some embodiments, R.sup.0 is an ester. In some embodiments, R.sup.0 is a carbamate. In some embodiments, R.sup.0 is a carbonate. In some embodiments, R.sup.0 is an optionally substituted moiety. In some embodiments, R.sup.0 is an acyl. In some embodiments, R.sup.0 is a C.sub.1-10 aliphatic. In some embodiments, R.sup.0 is a C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic. In some embodiments, R.sup.0 is a 6-10-membered aryl. In some embodiments, R.sup.0 is a arylalkyl. In some embodiments, R.sup.0 is a 5-10 membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur. In some embodiments, R.sup.0 is a 4-7 membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

[0250] In some embodiments, R.sup.a is hydrogen. In some embodiments, R.sup.a is a halogen. In some embodiments, R.sup.a is OH. In some embodiments, R.sup.a is OR. In some embodiments, R.sup.a is OR.sup.x. In some embodiments, R.sup.a is NR.sub.2. In some embodiments, R.sup.a is NHCOR. In some embodiments, R.sup.a an acyl. In some embodiments, R.sup.a is C.sub.1-10 aliphatic. In some embodiments, R.sup.a is C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic. In some embodiments, R.sup.a is 6-10-membered aryl. In some embodiments, R.sup.a is arylalkyl. In some embodiments, R.sup.a is 5-10-membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur. In some embodiments, R.sup.a is 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

[0251] In some embodiments, R.sup.b is hydrogen. In some embodiments, R.sup.b is a halogen. In some embodiments, R.sup.b is OH. In some embodiments, R.sup.b is OR. In some embodiments, R.sup.b is OR.sup.x. In some embodiments, R.sup.b is NR.sub.2. In some embodiments, R.sup.b is NHCOR. In some embodiments, R.sup.b an acyl. In some embodiments, R.sup.b is C.sub.1-10 aliphatic. In some embodiments, R.sup.b is C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic. In some embodiments, R.sup.b is 6-10-membered aryl. In some embodiments, R.sup.b is arylalkyl. In some embodiments, R.sup.b is 5-10-membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur. In some embodiments, R.sup.b is 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

[0252] In some embodiments, R.sup.b is hydrogen. In some embodiments, R.sup.b is a halogen. In some embodiments, R.sup.b is OH. In some embodiments, R.sup.b is OR. In some embodiments, R.sup.b is OR.sup.x. In some embodiments, R.sup.b is NR.sub.2. In some embodiments, R.sup.b is NHCOR. In some embodiments, R.sup.b an acyl. In some embodiments, R.sup.b is C.sub.1-10 aliphatic. In some embodiments, R.sup.b is C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic. In some embodiments, R.sup.b is 6-10-membered aryl. In some embodiments, R.sup.b is arylalkyl. In some embodiments, R.sup.b is 5-10-membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur. In some embodiments, R.sup.b is 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

[0253] In some embodiments, R.sup.c is hydrogen. In some embodiments, R.sup.c is a halogen. In some embodiments, R.sup.c is OH. In some embodiments, R.sup.c is OR. In some embodiments, R.sup.c is OR.sup.X. In some embodiments, R.sup.c is NR.sub.2. In some embodiments, R.sup.c is NHCOR. In some embodiments, R.sup.c an acyl. In some embodiments, R.sup.c is C.sub.1-10 aliphatic. In some embodiments, R.sup.c is C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic. In some embodiments, R.sup.c is 6-10-membered aryl. In some embodiments, R.sup.c is arylalkyl. In some embodiments, R.sup.c is 5-10-membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur. In some embodiments, R.sup.c is 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

[0254] In some embodiments, R.sup.d is hydrogen. In some embodiments, R.sup.d is a halogen. In some embodiments, R.sup.d is OH. In some embodiments, R.sup.d is OR. In some embodiments, R.sup.d is OR.sup.x. In some embodiments, R.sup.d is NR.sub.2. In some embodiments, R.sup.d is NHCOR. In some embodiments, R.sup.d an acyl. In some embodiments, R.sup.d is C.sub.1-10 aliphatic. In some embodiments, R.sup.d is C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic. In some embodiments, R.sup.d is 6-10-membered aryl. In some embodiments, R.sup.d is arylalkyl. In some embodiments, R.sup.d is 5-10-membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur. In some embodiments, R.sup.d is 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

[0255] In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is hydrogen. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is a halogen. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is OH. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is OR. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is OC(O)R.sup.4. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is OC(O)OR.sup.4. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is OC(O)NHR.sup.4. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is OC(O)NRR.sup.4. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is OC(O)SR.sup.4. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is NHC(O)R.sup.4. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is NRC(O)R.sup.4. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is NHC(O)OR.sup.4. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is NHC(O)NHR.sup.4. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is NHC(O)NRR.sup.4. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is NHR.sup.4. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is N(R.sup.4).sub.2. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is NHR.sup.4. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is NRR.sup.4. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is N.sub.3. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is C.sub.1-10 aliphatic. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is 6-10-membered aryl. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is arylalkyl. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is 5-10 membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

[0256] In some embodiments, R.sup.3 is hydrogen. In some embodiments, R.sup.3 is a halogen. In some embodiments, R.sup.3 is CH.sub.2OR.sup.1. In some embodiments, R.sup.3 is an acyl. In some embodiments, R.sup.3 is C.sub.1-10 aliphatic. In some embodiments, R.sup.3 is C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic. In some embodiments, R.sup.3 is 6-10-membered aryl. In some embodiments, R.sup.3 is arylalkyl. In some embodiments, R.sup.3 is 5-10-membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. In some embodiments, R.sup.3 is 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

[0257] In some embodiments, R.sup.4 is -T-R.sup.z. In some embodiments, R.sup.4 is -C(O)-T-R.sup.z. In some embodiments, R.sup.4 is -NH-T-R.sup.z. In some embodiments, R.sup.4 is -O-T-R.sup.z. In some embodiments, R.sup.4 is -S-T-R.sup.z. In some embodiments, R.sup.4 is -C(O)NH-T-R.sup.z. In some embodiments, R.sup.4 is C(O)O-T-R.sup.z. In some embodiments, R.sup.4 is C(O)S-T-R.sup.z. In some embodiments, R.sup.4 is C(O)NH-T-O-T-R.sup.z. In some embodiments, R.sup.4 is -O-T-R.sup.z. In some embodiments, R.sup.4 is -T-O-T-R.sup.z. In some embodiments, R.sup.4 is -T-S-T-R.sup.z. In some embodiments, R.sup.4 is

##STR00068##

[0258] In some embodiments, X is —O—. In some embodiments, X is —NR—. In some embodiments, X is T-R.sup.z.

[0259] In some embodiments, T is a covalent bond or a bivalent C.sub.1-26 saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched, aliphatic or heteroaliphatic chain.

[0260] In some embodiments, R.sup.z is hydrogen. In some embodiments, R.sup.z is a halogen. In some embodiments, R.sup.z is —OR. In some embodiments, R.sup.z is —OR.sup.x. In some embodiments, R.sup.z is -OR.sup.1. In some embodiments, R.sup.z is —OR.sup.1′. In some embodiments, R.sup.z is —SR. In some embodiments, R.sup.z is NR.sub.2. In some embodiments, R.sup.z is -C(O)OR. In some embodiments, R.sup.z is —C(O)R. In some embodiments, R.sup.z is -NHC(O)R. In some embodiments, R.sup.z is -NHC(O)OR. In some embodiments, R.sup.z is NC(O)OR. In some embodiments, R.sup.z is an acyl. In some embodiments, R.sup.z is arylalkyl. In some embodiments, R.sup.z is heteroarylalkyl. In some embodiments, R.sup.z is C.sub.1-6 aliphatic. In some embodiments, R.sup.z is 6-10-membered aryl. In some embodiments, R.sup.z is 5-10-membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur. In some embodiments, R.sup.z is 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

[0261] In some embodiments, R.sup.x is hydrogen. In some embodiments, R.sup.x is an oxygen protecting group. In some embodiments, R.sup.x is an alkyl ether. In some embodiments, R.sup.x is a benzyl ether. In some embodiments, R.sup.x is silyl ether. In some embodiments, R.sup.x is an acetal. In some embodiments, R.sup.x is ketal. In some embodiments, R.sup.x is ester. In some embodiments, R.sup.x is carbamate. In some embodiments, R.sup.x is carbonate.

[0262] In some embodiments, R.sup.y is —OH. In some embodiments, R.sup.y is —OR. In some embodiments, R.sup.y is a carboxyl protecting group. In some embodiments, R.sup.y is an ester. In some embodiments, R.sup.y is an amide. In some embodiments, R.sup.y is a hydrazide.

[0263] In some embodiments, R.sup.s is

##STR00069##

##STR00070##

[0264] In some embodiments, R.sup.x′ is optionally substituted 6-10-membered aryl. In some embodiments, R.sup.x′ is optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 aliphatic. In some embodiments, R.sup.x′ is optionally substituted or C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. In some embodiments, two R.sup.x′ are taken together to form a 5-7-membered heterocyclic ring having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

[0265] In some embodiments, R is hydrogen. In some embodiments, R is an acyl. In some embodiments, R is arylalkyl. In some embodiments, R is 6-10-membered aryl. In some embodiments, R is C.sub.1-6 aliphatic. In some embodiments, R is C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. In some embodiments, two R on the same nitrogen atom are taken with the nitrogen atom to form a 4-7-membered heterocyclic ring having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

[0266] In some embodiments, R.sup.1′ has the same embodiments as R.sup.1. Exemplary compounds of Formula I are set forth in Table 1 below:

TABLE-US-00001 EXEMPLARY COMPOUNDS OF FORMULA I [00071] I-1 [00072] I-2 [00073] I-3 [00074] I-4 (Compound 26 of Example 1) [00075] I-5 [00076] I-6 [00077] I-7 [00078] I-8 [00079] I-9

[0267] It will be appreciated that it is not an object of the present subject matter to claim compounds disclosed in the prior art that are the result of isolation or degradation studies on naturally occurring prosapogenins or saponins.

Synthesis of Compounds

[0268] As described in U.S. Ser. No. 12/420,803, issued as U.S. Pat. 8,283,456 (and its parent/child U.S. applications and publications), the synthesis of QS-21 and at least some of its analogues can be carried out in part by obtaining semi-purified abstract from Quillaja saponaria (commercially available as Quil-A, Accurate Chemical and Scientific Corporation, Westbury, NY) comprising a mixture of at least 50 distinct saponin species (van Setten, D. C.; Vandewerken, G.; Zomer, G.; Kersten, G. F. A. Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 1995, 9, 660-666). Many of said saponin species include a triterpene-trisaccharide substructure as found in immunologically-active Quillaja saponins such as QS-21 and QS-7. Exposing these saponin species to base hydrolysis affords a mixture enriched with prosapogenins A, B, and C (shown below).

##STR00080##

##STR00081##

##STR00082##

[0269] U.S. Ser. No. 12/420,803, issued as U.S. Pat. 8,283,456 (and its parent/child U.S. applications and publications) presents a strategy that allows for the facile separation of derivatized prosapogenins A, B, and C via silica gel chromatography. It will be appreciated that some embodiments of the present application may be synthesized in part using the methods described in U.S. Ser. No. 12/420,803, issued as U.S. Pat. 8,283,456 (and its parent/child U.S. applications and publications), particularly the methods relating to facile separation of derivatized prosapogenins A, B, and C. In one aspect, separated derivatized prosapogenins A, B, and/or C may then be used to synthesize QS-21 or analogs thereof using the methods described herein.

[0270] In one embodiment, the present application provides semi-synthetic methods for synthesizing QS-7, QS-21, and related analogs, the method comprising coupling a triterpene compound with a compound comprising a saccharide to form a compound of Formula I or of Formula II. In some embodiments, the method comprises the steps of: [0271] (a) Providing a compound of Formula III: wherein: is a single or double bond; [0273] Y′ is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, aryl, OR, ORY, OH, NR.sub.2, NR.sub.3.sup.+, NHR, NH.sub.2, SR, or NROR; [0274] W is Me, —CHO, —CH.sub.2OR.sup.x, —C(O)R.sup.y, or [0275] V is hydrogen or —OR.sup.x; [0276] R.sup.y is —OH, or a carboxyl protecting group selected from the group consisting of ester, amides, and hydrazides; [0277] each occurrence of R.sup.x′ is independently an optionally substituted group selected from 6-10-membered aryl, C1-6 aliphatic, or C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; or: [0278] two R.sup.x′ are taken together to form a 5-7-membered heterocyclic ring having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0279] each occurrence of R is independently hydrogen, an optionally substituted group selected from acyl, arylalkyl, 6-10-membered aryl, C.sub.1-12 aliphatic, or C.sub.1-12 heteroaliphatic having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0280] each occurrence of R.sup.x is independently hydrogen or an oxygen protecting group selected from the group consisting of alkyl ethers, benzyl ethers, silyl ethers, acetals, ketals, esters, and carbonates; [0281] (b) treating said compound of Formula III under suitable conditions with a compound of formula V: [0282] LG-Z [0283] (V) wherein: [0284] Z is hydrogen; a cyclic or acyclic, optionally substituted moiety selected from the group consisting of acyl, aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, arylalkyl, and heteroaryl; or a carbohydrate domain having the structure: wherein: [0285] each occurrence of R1 is Rx or a carbohydrate domain having the structure: wherein: [0286] each occurrence of a, b, and c is independently 0, 1, or 2; [0287] d is an integer from 1-5, wherein each d bracketed structure may be the same or different; with the proviso that the d bracketed structure represents a furanose or a pyranose moiety, and the sum of b and c is 1 or 2; [0288] R.sup.0 is hydrogen; an oxygen protecting group selected from the group consisting of alkyl ethers, benzyl ethers, silyl ethers, acetals, ketals, esters, carbamates, and carbonates; or an optionally substituted moiety selected from the group consisting of acyl, C.sub.1-10 aliphatic, C.sub.1-.sub.6 heteroaliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, arylalkyl, 5-10 membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, 4-7 membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0289] each occurrence of R.sup.a, R.sup.b, R.sup.c, and R.sup.d is independently hydrogen, halogen, OH, OR, OR.sup.x, NR.sub.2, NHCOR, or an optionally substituted group selected from acyl, C.sub.1-10 aliphatic, C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, arylalkyl, 5-10-membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur; 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0290] R.sup.2 is hydrogen, halogen, OH, OR, OC(O)R.sup.4, OC(O)OR.sup.4, OC(O)NHR.sup.4, OC(O)NRR.sup.4, OC(O)SR.sup.4, NHC(O)R.sup.4, NRC(O)R.sup.4, NHC(O)OR.sup.4, NHC(O)NHR.sup.4, NHC(O)NRR.sup.4, NHR.sup.4, N(R.sup.4).sub.2, NHR.sup.4, NRR.sup.4, N.sub.3, or an optionally substituted group selected from C.sub.1-10 aliphatic, C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, arylalkyl, 5-10 membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0291] R.sup.3 is hydrogen, halogen, CH.sub.2OR.sup.1, or an optionally substituted group selected from the group consisting of acyl, C.sub.1-10 aliphatic, C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, arylalkyl, 5-10-membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, [0292] R.sup.4 is -T-R.sup.z, -C(O)-T-R.sup.z, -NH-T-R.sup.z, -O-T-R.sup.z, -S-T-R.sup.z, -C(O)NH-T-R.sup.z, C(O)O-T-R.sup.z, C(O)S-T-R.sup.z, C(O)NH-T-O-T-R.sup.z, -O-T-R.sup.z, -T-O-T-R.sup.z, -T-S-T-R.sup.z, or wherein [0293] X is —O—, —NR—, or T-R.sup.z; [0294] T is a covalent bond or a bivalent C.sub.1-26 saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched, aliphatic or heteroaliphatic chain; and [0295] R.sup.z is hydrogen, halogen, —OR, —OR.sup.x, —OR.sup.1, —SR, NR.sub.2, -C(O)OR, -C(O)R, -NHC(O)R, -NHC(O)OR, NC(O)OR, or an optionally substituted group selected from acyl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, C.sub.1-6 aliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, 5-10-membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0296] each occurrence of R.sup.x is as defined for compounds of formula III; and [0297] LG is a suitable leaving group selected from the group consisting of halogen, imidate, alkoxy, sulphonyloxy, optionally substituted alkylsulphonyl, optionally substituted alkenylsulfonyl, optionally substituted arylsulfonyl, and diazonium moieties; [0298] (c) to give a compound of Formula I as described herein. In some embodiments, the method comprises the steps of: [0299] (a) Providing a compound of Formula IV: wherein: is a single or double bond; [0301] Y′ is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, aryl, OR, ORY, OH, NR.sub.2, NR.sub.3.sup.+, NHR, NH.sub.2, SR, or NROR; [0302] W is Me, —CHO, —CH.sub.2OR.sup.x, —C(O)R.sup.y, or [0303] V is hydrogen or -OR.sup.x; [0304] R.sup.y is —OH, or a carboxyl protecting group selected from the group consisting of ester, amides, and hydrazides; [0305] R.sup.s is [0306] each occurrence of R.sup.x′ is independently an optionally substituted group selected from 6-10-membered aryl, C1-6 aliphatic, or C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; or: [0307] two R.sup.x′ are taken together to form a 5-7-membered heterocyclic ring having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0308] each occurrence of R is independently hydrogen, an optionally substituted group selected from acyl, arylalkyl, 6-10-membered aryl, C.sub.1-12 aliphatic, or C.sub.1-12 heteroaliphatic having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0309] each occurrence of R.sup.x is independently hydrogen or an oxygen protecting group selected from the group consisting of alkyl ethers, benzyl ethers, silyl ethers, acetals, ketals, esters, and carbonates; [0310] (b) treating said compound of Formula IV under suitable conditions with a compound of formula V: [0311] LG-Z [0312] (V) wherein: [0313] Z is hydrogen; a cyclic or acyclic, optionally substituted moiety selected from the group consisting of acyl, aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, arylalkyl, and heteroaryl; or a carbohydrate domain having the structure: wherein: [0314] each occurrence of R1 is Rx or a carbohydrate domain having the structure: wherein: [0315] each occurrence of a, b, and c is independently 0, 1, or 2; [0316] d is an integer from 1-5, wherein each d bracketed structure may be the same or different; with the proviso that the d bracketed structure represents a furanose or a pyranose moiety, and the sum of b and c is 1 or 2; [0317] R.sup.0 is hydrogen; an oxygen protecting group selected from the group consisting of alkyl ethers, benzyl ethers, silyl ethers, acetals, ketals, esters, carbamates, and carbonates; or an optionally substituted moiety selected from the group consisting of acyl, C.sub.1-10 aliphatic, C.sub.1-.sub.6 heteroaliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, arylalkyl, 5-10 membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, 4-7 membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0318] each occurrence of R.sup.a, R.sup.b, R.sup.c, and R.sup.d is independently hydrogen, halogen, OH, OR, OR.sup.x, NR.sub.2, NHCOR, or an optionally substituted group selected from acyl, C.sub.1-10 aliphatic, C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, arylalkyl, 5-10-membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur; 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0319] R.sup.2 is hydrogen, halogen, OH, OR, OC(O)R.sup.4, OC(O)OR.sup.4, OC(O)NHR.sup.4, OC(O)NRR.sup.4, OC(O)SR.sup.4, NHC(O)R.sup.4, NRC(O)R.sup.4, NHC(O)OR.sup.4, NHC(O)NHR.sup.4, NHC(O)NRR.sup.4, NHR.sup.4, N(R.sup.4).sub.2, NHR.sup.4, NRR.sup.4, N.sub.3, or an optionally substituted group selected from C.sub.1-10 aliphatic, C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, arylalkyl, 5-10 membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0320] R.sup.3 is hydrogen, halogen, CH.sub.2OR.sup.1, or an optionally substituted group selected from the group consisting of acyl, C.sub.1-10 aliphatic, C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, arylalkyl, 5-10-membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, [0321] R.sup.4 is -T-R.sup.z, -C(O)-T-R.sup.z, -NH-T-R.sup.z, -O-T-R.sup.z, -S-T-R.sup.z, -C(O)NH-T-R.sup.z, C(O)O-T-R.sup.z, C(O)S-T-R.sup.z, C(O)NH-T-O-T-R.sup.z, -O-T-R.sup.z, -T-O-T-R.sup.z, -T-S-T-R.sup.z, or wherein [0322] X is —O—, —NR—, or T-R.sup.z; [0323] T is a covalent bond or a bivalent C.sub.1-26 saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched, aliphatic or heteroaliphatic chain; and [0324] R.sup.z is hydrogen, halogen, —OR, —OR.sup.x, —OR.sup.1, —SR, NR.sub.2, -C(O)OR, -C(O)R, -NHC(O)R, -NHC(O)OR, NC(O)OR, or an optionally substituted group selected from acyl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, C.sub.1-6 aliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, 5-10-membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0325] each occurrence of R.sup.x is as defined for compounds of formula IV; and [0326] LG is a suitable leaving group selected from the group consisting of halogen, imidate, alkoxy, sulphonyloxy, optionally substituted alkylsulphonyl, optionally substituted alkenylsulfonyl, optionally substituted arylsulfonyl, and diazonium moieties; [0327] (c) to give a compound of formula II as described herein.

[0328] In another aspect, the present application provides a synthesis method comprising: [0329] (a) providing a compound of Formula III: wherein: is a single or double bond; [0331] Y′ is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, aryl, OR, OR.sup.Y, OH, NR.sub.2, NR.sub.3.sup.+, NHR, NH.sub.2, SR, or NROR; [0332] W —CHO; [0333] V —OR.sup.x; [0334] R.sup.x is independently hydrogen or an oxygen protecting group selected from the group consisting of alkyl ethers, benzyl ethers, silyl ethers, acetals, ketals, esters, carbamates, and carbonates; [0335] (b) treating said compound of Formula III under suitable conditions with a compound of formula V: [0336] LG-Z [0337] (V) wherein: [0338] Z is a carbohydrate domain having the structure: wherein: [0339] R.sup.1 is independently H or [0340] R.sup.2 is NHR.sup.4; [0341] R.sup.3 is CH.sub.2OH; and [0342] R.sup.4 is -T-R.sup.z, -C(O)-T-R.sup.z, -NH-T-R.sup.z, -O-T-R.sup.z, -S-T-R.sup.z, -C(O)NH-T-R.sup.z, C(O)O-T-R.sup.z, C(O)S-T-R.sup.z, C(O)NH-T-O-T-R.sup.z, -O-T-R.sup.z, -T-O-T-R.sup.z, -T-S-T-R.sup.z, or wherein: [0343] X is —O—, —NR—, or T-R.sup.z; [0344] T is a covalent bond or a bivalent C.sub.1-26 saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched, aliphatic or heteroaliphatic chain; and [0345] R.sup.z is hydrogen, halogen, —OR, —OR.sup.x, —OR.sup.1, —SR, NR.sub.2, — C(O)OR, -C(O)R, -NHC(O)R, -NHC(O)OR, NC(O)OR, or an optionally substituted group selected from acyl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, C.sub.1-6 aliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, 5-10-membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0346] (c) to give a compound of Formula I as described herein.

[0347] In another aspect, the present application provides a method of synthesizing a compound of Formula I, or an intermediate thereof, comprising the following steps: [0348] (a) providing a compound of Formula III: wherein: is a single or double bond; [0350] Y′ is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, aryl, OR, OR.sup.Y, OH, NR.sub.2, NR.sub.3.sup.+, NHR, NH.sub.2, SR, or NROR; [0351] W —CHO; [0352] V —OH; [0353] wherein one or more substituents of the compound of Formula III are optionally protected; [0354] (b) reacting the compound of Formula III with a compound of Formula X: wherein: [0355] R.sup.H is a halogen; [0356] R.sup.2 is hydrogen, N.sub.3, NH.sub.2, halogen, OH, OR, OC(O)R.sup.4, OC(O)OR.sup.4, OC(O)NHR.sup.4, OC(O)NRR.sup.4, OC(O)SR.sup.4, NHC(O)R.sup.4, NRC(O)R.sup.4, NHC(O)OR.sup.4, NHC(O)NHR.sup.4, NHC(O)NRR.sup.4, NHR.sup.4, N(R.sup.4).sub.2, NHR.sup.4, NRR.sup.4, N.sub.3, or an optionally substituted group selected from C.sub.1-10 aliphatic, C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, arylalkyl, 5-10 membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0357] R.sup.4 is -T-R.sup.z, -C(O)-T-R.sup.z, -NH-T-R.sup.z, -O-T-R.sup.z, -S-T-R.sup.z, -C(O)NH-T-R.sup.z, C(O)O-T-R.sup.z, C(O)S-T-R.sup.z, C(O)NH-T-O-T-R.sup.z, -O-T-R.sup.z, -T-O-T-R.sup.z, -T-S-T-R.sup.z, or wherein: [0358] X is —O—, —NR—, or T-R.sup.z; [0359] T is a covalent bond or a bivalent C.sub.1-26 saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched, aliphatic or heteroaliphatic chain; [0360] R.sup.z is hydrogen, halogen, —OR, —OR.sup.x, —OR.sup.1′, —SR, NR.sub.2, -C(O)OR, -C(O)R, -NHC(O)R, -NHC(O)OR, NC(O)OR, or an optionally substituted group selected from acyl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, C.sub.1-6 aliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, 5-10-membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0361] R.sup.x is independently hydrogen or an oxygen protecting group selected from the group consisting of alkyl ethers, benzyl ethers, silyl ethers, acetals, ketals, esters, carbamates, and carbonates; and [0362] R is independently hydrogen, an optionally substituted group selected from acyl, arylalkyl, 6-10-membered aryl, C.sub.1-6 aliphatic, or C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, or: two R on the same nitrogen atom are taken with the nitrogen atom to form a 4-7-membered heterocyclic ring having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0363] R.sup.1′ is R.sup.x or a carbohydrate domain having the structure: wherein: [0364] each occurrence of a, b, and c is independently 0, 1, or 2; [0365] d is an integer from 1-5, wherein each d bracketed structure may be the same or different; with the proviso that the d bracketed structure represents a furanose or a pyranose moiety, and the sum of b and c is 1 or 2; [0366] R.sup.0 is hydrogen; an oxygen protecting group selected from the group consisting of alkyl ethers, benzyl ethers, silyl ethers, acetals, ketals, esters, carbamates, and carbonates; or an optionally substituted moiety selected from the group consisting of acyl, C.sub.1-10 aliphatic, C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, arylalkyl, 5-10 membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, 4-7 membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; [0367] each occurrence of R.sup.a, R.sup.b, R.sup.c, and R.sup.d is independently hydrogen, halogen, OH, OR, OR.sup.x, NR.sub.2, NHCOR, or an optionally substituted group selected from acyl, C.sub.1-10 aliphatic, C.sub.1-6 heteroaliphatic, 6-10-membered aryl, arylalkyl, 5-10-membered heteroaryl having 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur; 4-7-membered heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

[0368] In one embodiment, the compound of Formula X is:

##STR00109##

[0369] In one embodiment, the method includes reacting the product of step (b) or a further downstream product with R.sup.4-OH. In one embodiment, the method includes reacting the product of step (b) or a compound obtained after modifying the product of step (b) with R.sup.4-OH. In one embodiment, the method includes reacting the product of step (b) or a compound obtained after modifying the product of step (b) with R.sup.4-OH. In one embodiment, the method includes reacting the product of step (b) or an intermediate with R.sup.4-OH. In one embodiment, R.sup.4-OH is HO-C(O)-(CH.sub.2).sub.10-C(O)-OR.sup.x. In one embodiment, R.sup.x is H. In one embodiment, R.sup.x is Bn.

[0370] In another aspect, the present application discloses a synthesis route for Compound 26 (TQL-1055 / TiterQuil-1-0-5-5), as shown in Example 1. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the synthesis of Compound 26 and its intermediates described in these figures may be modified or adapted according to the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art to obtain other molecules. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the synthesis of Compound 26 and its intermediates described in these figures may be modified or adapted according to the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art to alter the route to Compound 26 (TQL-1055 / TiterQuil-1-0-5-5).

[0371] In another aspect of the subject matter, synthesis of QS-21, QS-7, and/or analogs of these compounds may be undertaken by using one or more of the methods disclosed in the examples, including Examples 1 and 2, described in this application. Although the synthesis of several compounds is disclosed in these examples, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that these methods may be modified or adapted according to the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art to obtain other molecules.

[0372] In another aspect, the present application also includes methods for obtaining the compounds according the present application comprising providing a compound according to the application and a second substance, and subsequently purifying the compound of the application by removing at least a portion of the second substance.

[0373] In another aspect, the present application includes methods for obtaining synthesis intermediates of compounds according to the present application from soapwort plants or soapwort seeds.

Adjuvants

[0374] Most protein and glycoprotein antigens are poorly immunogenic or non-immunogenic when administered alone. Strong adaptive immune responses to such antigens often requires the use of adjuvants. Immune adjuvants are substances that, when administered to a subject, increase the immune response to an antigen or enhance certain activities of cells from the immune system. An adjuvant may also allow the use of a lower dose of antigen to achieve a useful immune response in a subject.

[0375] Common adjuvants include alum, Freund’s adjuvant (an oil-in-water emulsion with dead mycobacteria), Freund’s adjuvant with MDP (an oil-in-water emulsion with muramyl dipeptide, MDP, a constituent of mycobacteria), alum plus Bordetella pertussis (aluminum hydroxide gel with killed B. pertussis). Such adjuvants are thought to act by delaying the release of antigens and enhancing uptake by macrophages. Immune stimulatory complexes (ISCOMs) are open cage-like complexes typically with a diameter of about 40 nm that are built up by cholesterol, lipid, immunogen, and saponin such as Quil-A (a Quillaja saponin extract). ISCOMs deliver antigen to the cytosol, and have been demonstrated to promote antibody response and induction of T helper cell as well as cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in a variety of experimental animal models.

[0376] Natural saponin adjuvant QS-21 is far more potent than currently used adjuvants, like alum. QS-21′s superiority over more than 20 other adjuvants tested in preclinical models and over 7 other adjuvants used in the clinic has been demonstrated. Thus, QS-21 has been widely used despite its three major liabilities: dose limiting toxicity, poor stability, and the limited availability of quality product.

[0377] Use of QS-21 as an adjuvant has been associated with notable adverse biological effects. In humans, QS-21 has displayed both local and systemic toxicity. Maximum doses for cancer patients are 100-150 .Math.g and for healthy patients are typically 50 .Math.g (an immunology suboptimal dose). As a result, clinical success of non-cancer vaccines depends upon the identification of novel, potent adjuvants that are more tolerable.

[0378] The present application encompasses the recognition that synthetic access to and structural modification of QS-21 and related Quillaja saponins may afford compounds with high adjuvant potency and low toxicity, as well as having more stability and being more cost effective.

Vaccines

[0379] Compositions in this application are useful as vaccines to induce active immunity towards antigens in subjects. Any animal that may experience the beneficial effects of the compositions of the present application is within the scope of subjects that may be treated. In some embodiments, the subjects are mammals. In some embodiments, the subjects are humans.

[0380] The vaccines of the present application may be used to confer resistance to infection by either passive or active immunization. When the vaccines of the present application are used to confer resistance through active immunization, a vaccine of the present application is administered to an animal to elicit a protective immune response which either prevents or attenuates a proliferative or infectious disease. When the vaccines of the present application are used to confer resistance to infection through passive immunization, the vaccine is provided to a host animal (e.g., human, dog, or mouse), and the antisera elicited by this vaccine is recovered and directly provided to a recipient suspected of having an infection or disease or exposed to a causative organism.

[0381] The present application thus concerns and provides a means for preventing or attenuating a proliferative disease resulting from organisms which have antigens that are recognized and bound by antisera produced in response to the immunogenic angtigens included in vaccines of the present application. As used herein, a vaccine is said to prevent or attenuate a disease if its administration to an animal results either in the total or partial attenuation (i.e., suppression) of a symptom or condition of the disease, or in the total or partial immunity of the animal to the disease.

[0382] The administration of the vaccine (or the antisera which it elicits) may be for either a “prophylactic” or “therapeutic” purpose. When provided prophylactically, the vaccine(s) are provided in advance of any symptoms of proliferative disease. The prophylactic administration of the vaccine(s) serves to prevent or attenuate any subsequent presentation of the disease. When provided therapeutically, the vaccine(s) is provided upon or after the detection of symptoms which indicate that an animal may be infected with a pathogen. The therapeutic administration of the vaccine(s) serves to attenuate any actual disease presentation. Thus, the vaccines may be provided either prior to the onset of disease proliferation (so as to prevent or attenuate an anticipated infection) or after the initiation of an actual proliferation.

[0383] Thus, in one aspect the present application provides vaccines comprising an antigen associated with Hepatitis B, pneumococcus, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, or Lyme disease including the closely related spirochetes of the genus Borrelia such as, B. burgdorferi, B. garinii, B. afzelli, and B. japonica.

[0384] One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that vaccines may optionally include a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier. Thus, according to another aspect, provided vaccines may comprise one or more antigens that are optionally conjugated to a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier. In some embodiments, said one or more antigens are conjugated covalently to a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. In other embodiments, said one or more antigens are non-covalently associated with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

[0385] As described above, adjuvants may be used to increase the immune response to an antigen. According to the present application, provided vaccines may be used to invoke an immune response when administered to a subject. In certain embodiments, an immune response to an antigen may be potentiated by administering to a subject a provided vaccine in an effective amount to potentiate the immune response of said subject to said antigen.

Formulations

[0386] The compounds of the present application may be combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient to form a pharmaceutical composition. In certain embodiments, formulations of the present application include injectable formulations. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition includes a pharmaceutically acceptable amount of a compound of the present application. In certain embodiments, the compounds of the application and an antigen form an active ingredient. In certain embodiments, the compound of the present application alone forms an active ingredient. The amount of active ingredient(s) which can be combined with a carrier material to produce a single dosage form will vary depending upon the host being treated, and the particular mode of administration. The amount of active ingredient(s) that can be combined with a carrier material to produce a single dosage form will generally be that amount of the compound which produces a therapeutic effect. Generally, this amount will range from about 1% to about 99% of active ingredient, preferably from about 5% to about 70%, most preferably from about 10% to about 30%, or from about 1% to 99%, preferably from 10% to 90%, 20% to 80%, 30% to 70%, 40% to 60%, 45% to 55%, or about 50%.

[0387] Wetting agents, emulsifiers and lubricants, such as sodium lauryl sulfate and magnesium stearate, as well as coloring agents, release agents, coating agents, sweetening, flavoring and perfuming agents, preservatives and antioxidants can also be present in the compositions.

[0388] Non-limiting examples of pharmaceutically-acceptable antioxidants include: water soluble antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid, cysteine hydrochloride, sodium bisulfate, sodium metabisulfite, sodium sulfite and the like; oil-soluble antioxidants, such as ascorbyl palmitate, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), lecithin, propyl gallate, alpha-tocopherol, and the like; and metal chelating agents, such as citric acid, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), sorbitol, tartaric acid, phosphoric acid, and the like.

[0389] Suspensions, in addition to the active compounds, may contain suspending agents as, for example, ethoxylated isostearyl alcohols, polyoxyethylene sorbitol and sorbitan esters, microcrystalline cellulose, aluminum metahydroxide, bentonite, agar-agar and tragacanth, and mixtures thereof.

[0390] Non-limiting examples of suitable aqueous and nonaqueous carriers, which may be employed in the pharmaceutical compositions of the present application include water, alcohols (including but not limited to methanol, ethanol, butanol, etc.), polyols (including but not limited to glycerol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, etc.), and suitable mixtures thereof, vegetable oils, such as olive oil, and injectable organic esters, such as ethyl oleate. Proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of coating materials, such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersions, and by the use of surfactants.

[0391] These compositions may also contain additives such as preservatives, wetting agents, emulsifying agents and dispersing agents. Prevention of the action of microorganisms upon the subject compounds may be ensured by the inclusion of various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, paraben, chlorobutanol, phenol sorbic acid, and the like. It may also be desirable to include isotonic agents, such as sugars, sodium chloride, and the like into the compositions. In addition, prolonged absorption of the injectable pharmaceutical form may be brought about by the inclusion of agents which delay absorption such as aluminum monostearate and gelatin.

[0392] In some cases, in order to prolong the effect of a formulation, it is desirable to slow the absorption of the drug from subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. This may be accomplished by the use of a liquid suspension of crystalline or amorphous material having poor water solubility. The rate of absorption of the drug then depends upon its rate of dissolution, which in turn, may depend upon crystal size and crystalline form.

[0393] Regardless of the route of administration selected, the compounds of the present application, which may be used in a suitable hydrated form, and/or the pharmaceutical compositions of the present application, are formulated into pharmaceutically-acceptable dosage forms by conventional methods known to those of skill in the art.

Combinations

[0394] Adjuvant formulations have resulted from the mixture of different adjuvants in the same formulation. As a general rule, two or more adjuvants with different mechanisms of action are combined to enhance the potency and type of the immune response to the vaccine antigen.

[0395] For example, triterpene glycoside saponin-derived adjuvants of the present invention can be formulated in combination with other adjuvants such as Lipid A to increase immunogenicity. One of them, 3-O-desacyl-4′-monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), is derived from cell wall lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of the Gram-negative Salmonella minnesota R595 strain and is detoxified by mild hydrolytic treatment and purification. MPL demonstrates drastically reduced toxicity compared with the parent LPS molecule, while retaining its adjuvant effect. It is a very powerful stimulator of the immune system, known to act as a TLR4 agonist. Similarly, the present invention can be formulated with alum salts. Saponins as described herein maybe used as a part of immunostimulatory complexes (ISCOMS). ISCOMS are virus like particles of 30-40 nm and dodecahedric structure, composed by Quil A, lipids and cholesterol. Antigens can be inserted in the membrane or encapsulated. A wide variety of proteins have been inserted in these cage-like structures. ISCOMS can be used through the oral, respiratory and vaginal routes. ISCOMS are particularly effective in activating cellular immunity and cytotoxic T cells, but often have problems with stability and toxicity.

[0396] One or more of the following are possible combination with triterpene glycoside saponin-derived adjuvants of the present invention: aluminium salts, squalene, monophosphoryl lipid A, MF59 oil-in-water emulsion.

Dosage

[0397] Actual dosage levels of the active ingredients in the pharmaceutical compositions of the present application may be varied so as to obtain an amount of the active ingredient that is effective to achieve the desired therapeutic response for a particular patient, composition, and mode of administration, without being toxic to the patient.

[0398] The selected dosage level will depend upon a variety of factors including the activity of the particular compound of the present application employed, or the ester, salt or amide thereof, the route of administration, the time of administration, the rate of excretion or metabolism of the particular compound being employed, the duration of the treatment, other drugs, compounds and/or materials used in combination with the particular compound employed, the age, sex, weight, condition, general health and prior medical history of the patient being treated, and like factors well known in the medical arts.

[0399] A physician or veterinarian having ordinary skill in the art can readily determine and prescribe the effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition required. For example, the physician or veterinarian could start doses of the compounds of the present application employed in the pharmaceutical composition at levels lower than that required to achieve the desired therapeutic effect and then gradually increasing the dosage until the desired effect is achieved.

[0400] In some embodiments, a compound or pharmaceutical composition of the present application is provided to a subject chronically. Chronic treatments include any form of repeated administration for an extended period of time, such as repeated administrations for one or more months, between a month and a year, one or more years, or longer. In many embodiments, a chronic treatment involves administering a compound or pharmaceutical composition of the present application repeatedly over the life of the subject. Preferred chronic treatments involve regular administrations, for example one or more times a day, one or more times a week, or one or more times a month. In general, a suitable dose, such as a daily dose of a compound of the present application, will be that amount of the compound that is the lowest dose effective to produce a therapeutic effect. Such an effective dose will generally depend upon the factors described above.

[0401] Generally, doses of the compounds of the present application for a patient, when used for the indicated effects, will range from about 0.0001 to about 100 mg per kg of body weight per day. Preferably the daily dosage will range from 0.001 to 50 mg of compound per kg of body weight, and even more preferably from 0.01 to 10 mg of compound per kg of body weight. However, lower or higher doses can be used. In some embodiments, the dose administered to a subject may be modified as the physiology of the subject changes due to age, disease progression, weight, or other factors.

[0402] In some embodiments, provided adjuvant compounds of the present application are administered as pharmaceutical compositions or vaccines. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 1-2000 .Math.g. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 1-1000 .Math.g. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 1-500 .Math.g. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 1-250 .Math.g. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 100-1000 .Math.g. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 100-500 .Math.g. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 100-200 .Math.g. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 250-500 .Math.g. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 10-1000 .Math.g. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 500-1000 .Math.g. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 50-250 .Math.g. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 50-500 .Math.g.

[0403] In some embodiments, provided adjuvant compounds of the present application are administered as pharmaceutical compositions or vaccines. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 1-2000 mg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 1-1000 mg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 1-500 mg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 1-250 mg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 100-1000 mg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 100-500 mg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 100-200 mg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 250-500 mg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 10-1000 mg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 500-1000 mg. in certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 50-250 mg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 50-500 mg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant compound administered will be 0.01-215.4 mg.

[0404] In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant administered will be 1000-5000 .Math.g/kg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant administered will be 1000-4000 .Math.g/kg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant administered will be 1000-3000 .Math.g/kg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant administered will be 1000-2000 .Math.g/kg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant administered will be 2000-5000 .Math.g/kg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant administered will be 2000-4000 .Math.g/kg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant administered will be 2000-3000 .Math.g/kg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant administered will be 3000-5000 .Math.g/kg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant administered will be 3000-4000 .Math.g/kg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant administered will be 4000-5000 .Math.g/kg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant administered will be 1-500 .Math.g/kg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant administered will be 500-1000 .Math.g/kg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant administered will be 1000-1500 .Math.g/kg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant administered will be 1 mg/kg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant administered will be 2 mg/kg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant administered will be 3 mg/kg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant administered will be 4 mg/kg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant administered will be 5 mg/kg. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the amount of adjuvant administered will be 0.0029-5 mg/kg. In certain embodiments, the amount of adjuvant administered in females is less than the amount of adjuvant administered in males. In certain embodiments, the amount of adjuvant administered to infants is less than the amount of adjuvant administered to adults. In certain embodiments, the amount of adjuvant administered to pediatric recipients is less than the amount of adjuvant administered to adults. In certain embodiments, the amount of adjuvant administered to immunocompromised recipients is more than the amount of adjuvant administered to healthy recipients. In certain embodiments, the amount of adjuvant administered to elderly recipients is more than the amount of adjuvant administered to non-elderly recipients.

[0405] If desired, the effective dose of the active compound may be administered as two, three, four, five, six or more sub-doses administered separately at appropriate intervals throughout the day, optionally, in unit dosage forms.

[0406] While it is possible for a compound of the present application to be administered alone, in certain embodiments the compound is administered as a pharmaceutical formulation or composition as described above.

[0407] The compounds according to the present application may be formulated for administration in any convenient way for use in human or veterinary medicine, by analogy with other pharmaceuticals.

[0408] The present application provides kits comprising pharmaceutical formulations or compositions of a compound of the present application. In certain embodiments, such kits include the combination of a compound of formulae I and/or II and an antigen. The agents may be packaged separately or together. The kit optionally includes instructions for prescribing the medication. In certain embodiments, the kit includes multiple doses of each agent. The kit may include sufficient quantities of each component to treat one or more subject for a week, two weeks, three weeks, four weeks, or multiple months. The kit may include a full cycle of immunotherapy. In some embodiments, the kit includes a vaccine comprising one or more bacterial or viral-associated antigens, and one or more provided compounds.

EXAMPLES

Example 1: Complete Synthesis of TQL-1055 (Compound 1-4)

[0409] It would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that common reaction intermediates shown in Examples 1 and 2, and/or protected or modified versions thereof, can be produced according to the schemes shown in either example. Additionally, it is within the level of ordinary skill in the art to modify or adapt the reactions shown in Examples 1 and 2 in order to produce compounds encompassing Formula I or Formula II as described in the present application.

Compound 1

[0410] ##STR00110##

[0411] Dowex resin 50WX8 hydrogen form resin (50 g, 1.0 wt.) was placed in a beaker and stirred with allyl alcohol (100 mL, 2 vol.) for about 10 minutes and then filtered. L-rhamnose monohydrate (50 g, 274.5 mmol, 1.0 equiv.), filtered Dowex resin (50 g, 1.0 wt.), and allyl alcohol (400 mL, 8 vol.) was charged into a 1-L 3-neck round bottom flask. The reaction mixture was heated to 90° C. and stirred overnight. The TLC analysis (2:1 DCM/MeOH, CAM stain) showed a small amount of starting material (Rf 0.4). The reaction mixture was cooled to ambient temperature, filtered, and washed with acetone (2 ✕ 50 mL, 2 ✕ 1 vol.). The filtrate was concentrated to dryness and co-evaporated with toluene (2 ✕ 100 mL, 2 ✕ 2 vol.) to give a black residue (92.2 g). The residue was diluted with acetone (200 mL, 4 vol.). 2,2-Dimethoxypropane (135 mL, 2.7 vol.) and tosic acid monohydrate (0.5 g, 0.01 wt.) were added to the residue, and stirred at ambient temperature overnight. TLC analysis (1:1 heptanes / EtOAc, CAM stain) showed compound 1 was observed (Rf 0.6). Reaction mixture was quenched with Et.sub.3N (20 mL), and then concentrated to dryness to give the crude compound 1 (106.6 g). The crude compound was column purified by CombiFlash (0-35% EtOAc/heptanes) to give pure compound 1 (36.1 g, 53.9% yields) as a yellow-orange oil. The .sup.1H NMR analysis (CDCl.sub.3) of the prepared material was shown in FIG. 6.

Compound 2

[0412] ##STR00111##

[0413] Dowex resin (26.5 g, 0.53 wt, Dowex 50WX8, hydrogen form, 50-100 mesh, Acros) was stirred in MeOH (50 mL) for 10 min and then filtered. To a 2-L 3-neck flask was charged D-xylose (50 g, 333 mmol, 1.0 equiv.), the filtered Dowex resin, and MeOH (665 mL, 13 vol). The reaction mixture was heated to 65° C. and stirred, monitored by .sup.1H NMR (D20). After overnight reaction (21.5 hours) the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated by rotary evaporator at 40° C., and then dried on high vacuum to give compound 2 as an off-white waxy solid (56.8 g, 100% yields). The .sup.1H NMR analysis (D20) of the prepared material was shown in FIG. 7.

Compound 3

[0414] ##STR00112##

[0415] To a 3-L 3-neck flask was charged compound 2 (50.0 g, 305 mmol, 1.0 equiv.), followed by THF (500 mL, 10 vol) and DMF (500 mL, 10 vol). The reaction mixture was cooled in an ice-water bath (temperature = 5° C.). Sodium hydride (60% dispersion in oil, 43.9 g, 3.6 equiv.) was slowly added in portions over 20 min. Tetrabutylammonium iodide (22.5 g, 0.2 equiv) was added to the reaction mixture. Benzyl bromide (144.7 mL, 4 equiv.) was slowly added to the flask over 10 min; the reaction was exothermic. Reaction mixture was stirred overnight while slowly warming to room temperature. The mixture was again cooled in an ice/water bath (temperature = 5.6° C.), which made the reaction mixture thicker. Iced H.sub.2O (92.5 mL) was slowly drop-wise added to quench the reaction (exothermic). The reaction mixture was stirred for 15 min at 0-10° C. Iced H.sub.20 (1150 mL) was further slowly added to the reaction mixture (exothermic). The reaction was stirred for another 15 min. The mixture was split into 3 1-L portions. Each portion was extracted with EtOAc (2 ✕ 250 mL). The organic layers were combined, concentrated by rotary evaporator, and dried by high vacuum. The crude product (208.7 g, thick dark orange oil) was split into 4 equal portions. Each portion was purified by CombiFlash (330 g column, 0-10% EtOAc/heptanes). The fractions containing the product were collected (TLC 1:4 EtOAc/heptanes, CAM stain, product Rf 0.3 and 0.4) to give compound 3 (108.8 g, 81% yields) as a light yellow oil. The .sup.1H NMR analysis (CDCl.sub.3) of the prepared material was shown in FIG. 8.

Compound 4

[0416] ##STR00113##

[0417] Compound 3 (83.1 g, 191.2 mmol, 1.0 equiv.) was dissolved in acetic acid (924 mL, 11 vol) and charged to a 5-L 3-neck flask. The mixture was heated to 50° C. 2 N aqueous sulfuric acid (125 mL, 1.5 vol) was added and the temperature was increased to 90° C. After 5 hours at 90° C. the TLC analysis showed the starting material was completely consumed and compound 4 was observed (1:4 EtOAc/heptanes; CAM stain; product Rf 0.1). The heating was stopped and the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature (dark brown solution). DI H.sub.2O (2327 mL, 28 vol) was added drop-wise to the reaction mixture to give a light brown slurry. The mixture was cooled to 0-10° C. and stirred for 1.5 hours. The mixture was filtered off and the filter cake was washed with water (623 mL, 7.5 vol). The solids were dried on high vacuum overnight to give 67.1 g of a light tan solid. This solid was dissolved in toluene (200 mL), and heptanes (1000 mL) was added slowly. The resultant slurry was stirred overnight and then filtered. The filter cake was washed with (1:5) toluene/heptanes (300 mL), and then dried on high vacuum to give compound 4 as an off-white solid (39.9 g, 50% yields). The .sup.1H NMR analysis (CDCl.sub.3) of the prepared material was shown in FIG. 9.

Compound 5

[0418] ##STR00114##

[0419] Compound 4 (57.8 g, 137.4 mmol, 1.0 equiv.) was dissolved in DCM (1444 mL, 25 vol) and charged to a 3-L 3-neck flask. The reaction mixture was cooled to <5° C. DBU (27.1 mL, 1.3 equiv.) and Cl.sub.3CCN (137.7 mL, 10 equiv.) was added to the flask. Reaction mixture was stirred at < 5° C. After 3 hours, the TLC analysis (TLC plates were pre-treated with 10% Et.sub.3N/ heptanes; eluent: heptanes:ethyl acetate 3:1 with 2% Et.sub.3N, CAM stain) showed little starting material (Rf 0.2) and compound 5 was observed (Rf 0.5). The reaction mixture was diluted with toluene (1733 mL, 30 vol) and washed with DI H.sub.2O (3 ✕ 404 mL, 3 ✕ 7 vol) and saturated brine (3 ✕ 289 mL, 3 ✕ 5 vol). The organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered, washed with toluene, and concentrated. A mixture of heptane/ EtOAc / Et.sub.3N (15:5:1) was made. The residue was dissolved with 250 mL of the mixture and passed through a plug of silica gel (60 g, 1 wt.) that was pre-treated with 10% Et.sub.3N/ heptanes. The plug was washed with the mixture of heptane/ EtOAc / Et.sub.3N (15:5:1) until all the desired product was eluted out. The filtrate was concentrated at ambient temperature and dried on high vacuum to give compound 5 as a light orange oil (71.9 g, 93% yields). The .sup.1H NMR analysis (CDCl.sub.3) of the prepared material was shown in FIG. 10.

Compound 6

[0420] ##STR00115##

[0421] Compound 5 (51.9 g, 91.8 mmol, 1.0 equiv) and compound 1 (24.7 g, 101.0 mmol, 1.1 equiv) was solvent-swapped with toluene and then dissolved in CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 (1930 mL, 37 vol). The reaction mixture was cooled to -40 to -35° C. using a dry ice/acetone bath. BF.sub.3.Math.OEt.sub.2 (2.3 mL, 0.2 equiv) was added slowly dropwise, which turned the mixture from yellow to an orange color. After 2.5 hours the TLC analysis (6:1 heptanes/EtOAc, CAM stain) showed little starting material (Rf 0.1) and compound 6 was observed (Rf 0.3). The reaction mixture was quenched with Et.sub.3N (38 mL) at < -40° C. and warmed to ambient temperature. The mixture was concentrated to dryness and the residue was purified by CombiFlash (330 g column, 0-10% EtOAc/heptanes) to give compound 6 (34.8 g, 59% yields) as a clear oil. The .sup.1H NMR analysis (CDCl.sub.3) of the prepared material was shown in FIG. 11.

Compound 7

[0422] ##STR00116##

[0423] DCM (485 mL, 10 vol) and MeOH (970 mL, 20 vol) were charged into a 3-L 3-neck flask under nitrogen. The mixture was bubbled with nitrogen for about 3 minutes. PPh.sub.3 (23.6 g, 1.2 equiv.), Pd(OAc).sub.2 (5.05 g, 0.3 equiv), and diethylamine (94 mL, 12.1 equiv.) were added into the 3-L flask. To another flask was added compound 6 (48.5 g, 75.0 mmol) and DCM (242 mL, 5 vol) and was bubbled with nitrogen for about 1 minute. The compound 6 solution in DCM was then charged into the 3 L flask. The mixture was heated to 30° C. while stirring to afford a bright yellow slurry. After 2.5 hours the TLC analysis (3:1 heptanes/EtOAc, CAM stain) showed little starting material (Rf 0.4) and compound 7 was observed (Rf 0.2). The reaction mixture was concentrated by rotary evaporator at <30° C. The residue was purified by CombiFlash (2 ✕ 330 g column, 0-30% EtOAc/heptanes) to give compound 7 (85% yields) as an orange oil/solid. The .sup.1H NMR analysis (C.sub.6D.sub.6) of the prepared material was shown in FIG. 12.

Compound 8

[0424] ##STR00117##

[0425] Compound 7 (33.5 g, 4.78 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (847 mL, 25 vol.) and charged to a 2 L 3-neck flask. The reaction mixture was cooled to 0-10° C. using an ice-water bath. DBU (10.7 mL, 1.3 equiv.) was added, followed by Cl.sub.3CCN (63.6 mL, 11.5 equiv.) drop-wise. The reaction was then stirred at 0-10° C. After 1 hour the TLC analysis (TLC plates were pre-treated with 10% Et.sub.3N/ heptanes; eluent: heptanes:ethyl acetate 2:1 with 2% Et.sub.3N, CAM stain) showed little starting material and compound 8 was observed (Rf 0.6). The reaction mixture was diluted with toluene (1000 mL, 30 vol) and washed with water (3 ✕ 234 mL, 3 ✕ 7 vol). The organic layer was dried over MgSO.sub.4 and then filtered. The MgSO.sub.4 was washed with toluene (167 mL, 5 vol). The filtrate was concentrated to dryness by rotary evaporator at < 35° C.

[0426] A mixture of heptanes/EtOAc/ Et.sub.3N (15:5:1) was prepared. The residue was dissolved with this solvent mixture and passed through a plug of silica gel (40 g) which was pre-treated with the solvent mixture. The plug was washed with this solvent mixture until all the desired product was eluted out. The desired fractions were concentrated at < 30° C. and dried on high vacuum to give compound 8 as a yellow thick oil (39.3 g, 95% yields). The .sup.1H NMR analysis (CDCl.sub.3) of the prepared material was shown inFigure 13.

Compound 10

[0427] ##STR00118##

[0428] To a 2-L reactor was charged D-glucal (75.0 g, 0.51 mol, Chem-Impex), followed by pyridine (1125 mL, 15 vol). The resultant solution was cooled to 0-5° C. Benzoyl chloride (125 mL, 1.08 mol, 2.1 equiv.) was added slowly over 3 hours while maintaining the batch temperature at 0-5° C. The reaction was stirred at 0-5° C. for 1 hour and the TLC analysis (100% EtOAc and heptanes/EtOAc 3:1; CAM stain) showed that the starting material was completely consumed and some mono-benzoylated (Rf 0.6 in 100% EtOAc), di-benzoylated (Rf 0.20 in heptanes/EtOAc 3:1) and tri-benzoylated (Rf 0.35 in heptanes/EtOAc 3:1) were observed. Additional benzoyl chloride (12.0 mL, 0.2 equiv) was added over 15 minutes. The resultant reaction mixture was stirred for 1.5 hour at 0-5° C. and the TLC analysis showed the mono-benzoylated products were disappeared. MsCl (79.4 mL, 1.03 mol, 2.0 equiv) was then added at 0-5° C. over 1 hour. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0-5° C. for 20 minute and ambient temperature overnight. The TLC analysis (heptanes/EtOAc 3:1; CAM stain) showed that the di-benzoylated glucal (Rf 0.20) was completely consumed and the compound 10 was observed (Rf 0.16).

[0429] The reaction was quenched with methanol (90 mL, 1.2 vol) at <10° C. and diluted with MTBE (900 mL, 12 vol). The mixture was washed with water (900 mL, 12 vol) and then brine (200 mL, 2.7 vol). The combined aqueous layers were back-extracted with MTBE (2 ✕ 150 mL, 2 ✕ 2 vol). The organic layers were combined and concentrated to remove most of pyridine at < 30° C. The residue (275 g) was dissolved in DCM (400 mL, 5.3 vol) and washed with water (3 ✕ 100 mL, 3 ✕ 1.3 vol). The organic layer was then concentrated to dryness and re-crystallized with MTBE (300 mL, 4 vol) to give the 1.sup.st crop of compound 10 (116.1 g, 52.3% yield) as a pale yellow solid. The mother liquor was concentrated and the resultant residue (107 g) was further purified by chromatography (2 ✕ 330 g column; 0-40% EtOAc in heptanes). The fractions containing desired product were concentrated and recrystallized with MTBE (100 mL, 1.3 vol) to give a second crop of compound 10 (31.5 g, 14.2% yield) as an off-white solid. The combined yields were 147.6 g (66.5% yields). The 1H NMR analysis (CDCl.sub.3) of the prepared material was shown in FIG. 14.

Compound 11

[0430] ##STR00119##

[0431] To a 1-L 3-neck flask was charged compound 10 (45.0 g), followed by toluene (350 mL, 7.8 vol). Tetrabutylammonium chloride (63.6 g, 229 mmol, 2.2 equiv) and sodium azide (25.0 g, 385 mmol, 3.7 equiv) were then added, followed by toluene (168 mL, 3.7 vol). The resultant mixture was then slowly heated to 105° C. and stirred for 18 hours at 100-110° C. The TLC analysis (heptanes/EtOAc 3:1; CAM stain) showed that only small amount of compound 10 (Rf 0.16) was present and compound 11 (Rf 0.46) was observed. The reaction mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and transferred to a separation funnel. The reaction flask was rinsed with toluene (450 mL, 10 vol) and water (450 mL, 10 vol) and the rinses were also transferred to the separation funnel. The organic layer was separated and washed with water (450 mL, 10 vol). The organic layer was concentrated at < 30° C. and the residue was purified by CombiFlash (330 g column, 0-15% EtOAc/heptanes) to give compound 11 (23.8 g, 60.3% yields) as a pale yellow thick oil. The .sup.1H NMR analysis (CDCl.sub.3) of the prepared material was shown in FIG. 15. This material contained an impurity which might be derived from tetrabutylammonium salt (.sup.1H NMR) and easily purged in the next step.

Compound 11 (Alternate Scheme)

[0432] ##STR00120##

Compound 12

[0433] ##STR00121##

[0434] Compound 11 (45.3 g, 119 mmol, 1.0 equiv) was dissolved in methanol (544 mL, 12 vol) and charged to a 1-L 3-neck flask. To this mixture was added a NaOH solution (50 mg/mL in methanol, 33.4 mL, 41.8 mmol, 0.35 equiv) dropwise at ambient temperature. After addition the resultant mixture was stirred at ambient temperature. After 3.5 hours the TLC analysis showed the compound 11 was completely consumed (Rf 0.46, heptanes/EtOAc 3:1; CAM stain) and compound 12 was observed (Rf 0.65, 100% EtOAc; CAM stain). The reaction mixture was concentrated at < 30° C. and the residue was purified by CombiFlash (220 g column, 30-100% EtOAc/heptanes) to give compound 12 (13.1 g, 64.2% yields) as a white solid. The .sup.1H NMR analysis (CDCl.sub.3) of the prepared material was shown in FIG. 16.

Compound 13

[0435] ##STR00122##

[0436] Compound 12 (13.1 g, 76.5 mmol, 1.0 equiv) was dissolved in THF (200 mL, 15 vol) and DMF (200 mL, 15 vol). The resultant mixture was charged to a 1-L 3-neck flask and cooled to 0-5° C. NaH (9.18 g, 60% dispersion in oil, 230 mmol, 3.0 equiv) was added poritonwise over 10 minutes at 0-5° C. The mixture was stirred at 0-10° C. for 30 minutes before benzyl bromide (36.4 mL, 306 mmol, 4.0 equiv) was charged slowly over 20 minutes while maintaining the batch temperature below 10° C. The reaction was warmed to ambient temperature and stirred overnight. The TLC analysis showed the compound 12 was completely consumed (Rf 0.65, 100% EtOAc; CAM stain) and compound 13 was observed (Rf 0.19, 9:1 heptanes/EtOAc; CAM stain). The reaction mixture was cooled to 0-10° C. and methanol (9.0 mL, 0.7 vol) was added slowly with batch temperature below 10° C., followed by water (262 mL, 20 vol) at < 10° C. The mixture was warmed to ambient temperature and extracted with EtOAc (2 ✕ 200 mL, 2 ✕ 15 vol). The combined organic layers were washed with saturated NaCl solution (1 ✕ 50 mL, 1 ✕ 4 vol) and concentrated at < 30° C. The residue was purified by CombiFlash (330 g column, 0-15% EtOAc/heptanes) to give compound 13 (24.0 g, 89.1% yields) as a pale yellow oil. The .sup.1H NMR analysis (CDCl.sub.3) of the prepared material was shown in FIG. 17.

Compound 14

[0437] Compound 13 (13.8 g, 39.3 mmol, 1.0 equiv.) was dissolved in THF (242 mL, 17.5 vol) and transferred to a 1-L 3-neck flask. Tert-butanol (104 mL, 7.5 vol) and water (35 mL, 2.5 vol) were then added. The OsO4 solution (13.8 mL, 2.5 wt% in t-butanol) was added in one portion to afford a pale yellow solution. After stirring at ambient temperature for 30 minutes NMO solution (6.9 mL, 50% in water) was added. After 3.5 hours further NMO (6.9 mL, 50% in water) was added. After another 3 hours another portion of NMO solution (6.9 mL, 50% in water) was added and the mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 17 hours. The last portion of NMO solution (6.9 mL, 50% in water) was added and stirring continued for 5 hours. The TLC analysis (hetpanes/EtOAc, 1:1; CAM stain; starting material Rf 0.8 and product Rf 0.3) showed only trace amount of starting material. An aqueous Na.sub.2SO.sub.3 solution (55.2 g Na.sub.2SO.sub.3 in 276 mL H.sub.2O) was added slowly and the resultant mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 30 minutes. The mixture was diluted with water (138 mL, 10 vol) and extracted with EtOAc (276 mL, 20 vol). The organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered, and concentrated to give compound 14 (15.3 g, 100% yields) as a pale brown thick oil, which was used directly in the next step without further purification. The .sup.1H NMR analysis (CDCl.sub.3) of the prepared material was shown in FIG. 18.

Compound 15

[0438] ##STR00123##

[0439] Compound 14 (15.3 g, 39.7 mmol, 1.0 equiv) was dissolved in DMF (80 mL, 5.2 vol). Imidazole (6.49 g, 95.3 mmol, 2.4 equiv) was added followed by DMAP (0.49 g, 4.0 mmol, 0.1 equiv). The mixture was cooled to 0-10° C. with water/ice bath and TIPSCI (12.7 mL, 59.6 mmol, 1.5 equiv) was added dropwise. The water/ice bath was removed and the reaction was stirred at ambient temperature for 17 hours. The TLC analysis (hetpanes/EtOAc 1:1; CAM stain; starting material Rf 0.2) showed a full conversion and compound 15 was observed (hetpanes/EtOAc 4:1; CAM stain; product Rf 0.4). The mixture was cooled to 0-10° C. and water (306 mL, 20 vol) was added slowly while maintaining the batch temperature at <20° C. The mixture was warmed to ambient temperature and extracted with EtOAc (306 mL, 20 vol; then 77 mL, 5 vol). The combined organic layer was washed with water (2 x 306 mL, 2 ✕ 20 vol) and 20% brine (77 mL, 5 vol) and concentrated at < 30° C. The residue was purified by CombiFlash (330 g column, 0 - 10% EtOAc/heptanes) to give compound 15 (15.2 g, 70.4% yields) as a thick oil. The .sup.1H NMR analysis (CDCl.sub.3) of the prepared material was shown in FIG. 19.

Compound 16

##STR00124##

[0440] Compound 15 (12.8 g, 23.6 mmol, 1.0 equiv) and compound 8 (19.5 g, 26.0 mmol, 1.1 equiv) were co-evaporated with toluene (2 ✕ 100 mL) at < 30° C. and dissolved in DCM (320 mL, 25 vol). A powder of 4 Å molecular sieve (12.8 g, 1 wt) was added. The resultant reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 30 minutes and cooled to -45 to -35° C. using a dry ice/acetone bath. BF.sub.3•OEt.sub.2 (0.58 mL, 4.7 mmol, 0.2 equiv) was added and the reaction was stirred at -45 to -35° C. After 60 minutes an additional compound 8 (3.6 g, 4.7 mmol, 0.2 equiv) in DCM (38 mL) was added at -45 to -35° C. After another 1 hour the TLC analysis (3:1 heptanes/EtOAc, CAM stain) showed compound 16 was observed (Rf 0.5). The reaction mixture was quenched with TEA (12.8 mL) at < -40° C. and warmed to ambient temperature. The mixture was concentrated to dryness and the residue was purified by CombiFlash (330 g column, 0-10% EtOAc/heptanes) to give compound 16 (12.7 g, 48% yield) as a thick oil. The .sup.1H NMR analysis (CDCl.sub.3) of the prepared material was shown in FIG. 20.

Compound 17

[0441] ##STR00125##

[0442] Compound 16 (99.8 g, 88.3 mmol, 1.0 equiv) was dissolved in THF (1.5 L, 15 vol) and transferred to 3-L 3-neck flask. A mixture containing TBAF (105.9 mL, 105.9 mmol, 1.2 equiv; 1.0 M solution in THF), acetic acid (2.5 mL, 44.1 mmol, 0.5 equiv), and THF (35 mL) was added slowly over 40 minutes via an addition funnel. The addition funnel was rinsed with THF (20 mL). After overnight reaction at ambient temperature the TLC analysis (3:1 heptanes/EtOAc, CAM stain) showed a small amount of compound 16. Acetic acid (7.0 mL) and methanol (100 mL) were then added. The resultant mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 30 minutes and concentrated at < 30° C. The crude (144 g) was purified by chromatography (1.0 kg silica gel; 0-30% EtOAc/heptanes) to give compound 17 (67.8 g, 79% yield) as a pale yellow foam/thick oil. The .sup.1H NMR analysis (C.sub.6D.sub.6) of the prepared material was shown in FIG. 21.

Compound 18

[0443] ##STR00126##

[0444] Compound 17 (67.7 g, 69.6 mmol, 1.0 equiv) was dissolved in DCM (1356 mL, 20 vol) and transferred to a 2-L 3-neck flask. The reaction mixture was cooled to 0-10° C. DBU (13.5 mL, 90.5 mmol, 1.3 equiv.) was charged, followed by Cl.sub.3CCN (80.3 mL, 800.4 mmol, 11.5 equiv.) dropwise at 0-10° C. After 4.5 hours at 0-10° C. the TLC analysis (1:2 EtOAc/heptane with 2% TEA, CAM stain) showed trace amount of compound 17 (Rf 0.5) and the compound 18 was observed (Rf 0.7). The reaction was diluted with toluene (2030 mL, 30 vol) and washed with aqueous NaCl solution (2 x, each wash contained 406 mL (6 vol) of water and 136 mL (2 vol) of saturated NaCl solution) and then saturated NaCl solution (406 mL, 6 vol). The organic layer was then dried over MgSO.sub.4 (68 g, 1 wt), filtered, washed with toluene (340 mL, 5 vol), and concentrated at <30° C. The residue (94.6 g) was dissolved in a mixture of heptanes/EtOAc/TEA (15:5:1) and filtered through a plug of silica gel (900 g, pre-treated with 5% Et.sub.3N in heptanes) and washed with a mixture of heptanes/EtOAc/TEA (15:5:1) until all the products were eluded out. The desired fractions were concentrated at < 30° C. and dried on high vacuum to give compound 18 as a yellow foam/thick oil (67.5 g, 87% yields). The .sup.1H NMR analysis (C.sub.6D.sub.6) of the prepared material was shown in FIG. 22.

Compound 19

[0445] ##STR00127##

[0446] To a 3-neck flask was charged quillaja bark extract (500 g, 1 wt), followed by 9% aq. HCl (5 L, 10 vol). The resultant mixture was heated to 88-92° C. and stirred for 4 hours. The resultant brownish mixture was cooled to ambient temperature. The reaction was diluted with EtOAc (5.0 L, 10 vol) and stirred at ambient temperature for 10 minutes. The mixture was filtered through a pad of Celite (250 g, 0.5 wt) and washed with EtOAc (2.5 L, 5 vol). The filtrate was transferred to a cylindrical reactor and stirred at ambient temperature for 15 minutes. The agitation was stopped and the mixture was allowed to settle for a minimum of 15 minutes. The organic layer was separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc (2.5 L, 5 vol). The organic layers were combined and concentrated to dryness. The residue (269 g) was purified by silica gel chromatography (1000 g silica gel, 0-40% EtOAc/heptanes) to give compound 19 (31.3 g, 6.3 wt% yields) as a yellow solid. The .sup.1H NMR analysis (CDCl.sub.3) of the prepared material was shown in FIG. 23. A mixture fraction (86.8 g) was also obtained and combined with other mixed fractions for further chromatography purification.

Alternative Route to Compound 19

[0447] ##STR00128##

[0448] Charge a 3-neck flask with Soapwort seed extract extract, followed by dilute aq. HCl (5 L, 10 vol). Stir the resultant mixture for an optimum time period with possible heating. Cool the resultant mixture to ambient temperature. Dilute reaction materials in an organic layer and stir. Filter through a pad of Celite and wash with more organic solvent. Separate organic layer from aqueous layer and wash aqueous layer repeated times with additional organic solvent. Combine organic layers and remove organic solvent. Purify residue by silica gel chromatography to give compound 19 as a solid.

Compound 20

[0449] ##STR00129##

[0450] Compound 19 (57.4 g, 118 mmol) was charged to a 2-L 3-neck flask with the help of DCM (1148 mL, 20 vol) and 2,6-lutidine (112.6 mL, 8.2 equiv). A brown solution was obtained. The reaction was cooled to 0-5° C. TESOTf (106.7 mL, 472 mmol, 4.0 equiv) was then added dropwise at < 10° C. via an addition funnel. The addition funnel was rinsed with DCM (20 mL, 0.35 vol) and charged to the reaction. The reaction was stirred at 0-10° C. for 3.5 hours and TLC (1:1 heptanes/EtOAc; CAM stain) showed all the starting material was consumed. The mixture was diluted with EtOAc (1148 mL, 20 vol) and washed with 0.5 M HCl (1148 mL, 20 vol). The organic layer was washed with a mixture containing sat. NaHCO.sub.3 solution (574 mL, 10 vol) and sat. NaCl solution (385 mL, 6.7 vol). The aqueous layer was back-extracted with EtOAc twice (574 mL, 10 vol; then 287 mL, 5 vol). The combined organic layers were concentrated to dryness < 30° C. The residue (143 g) was purified by silica gel chromatography (900 g silica gel, 0-15% EtOAc/heptanes) to give compound 20 (51.2 g, 61% yields) as an orange thick oil (containing some silicon impurities and other small impurities). The 1H NMR analysis (CDCl.sub.3) of the prepared material was shown in FIG. 24. A mixed fraction (10.8 g) was also obtained and combined with other mixed fractions for further chromatography purification.

Compound 21

[0451] ##STR00130##

[0452] Compound 18 (52.0 g, 46.4 mmol, 1.0 equiv) and pure compound 20 (36.5 g, 51.1 mmol, 1.1 equiv) were charged to a 3-L 3-neck flask with the help of anhydrous DCM (1820 mL, 35 vol). 4 Å molecular sieve powder (78.0 g, 1.5 wt) was added and the resultant mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 50 minutes. The reaction was cooled to -35±5° C. and BF.sub.3•OEt.sub.2 (1.15 mL, 9.3 mmol, 0.2 equiv) was added dropwise at -35±5° C. After 4 hours at -35±5° C. TEA (52 mL, 1 vol) was then added and the mixture was stirred at -30° C. for 20 minutes and ambient temperature for 1 hour. The mixture was concentrated to dryness at < 25° C. to give crude compound 21 (182.3 g). A synthesis of compound 21 was performed on a 15 g scale under similar conditions to give crude compound 21 (51.6 g). The aforementioned two lots of crude compound 21 (182.3 g; 51.6 g) were combined and purified by silica gel chromatography (1.2 kg silica gel, 0-20% EtOAc/heptanes + 1% TEA) to give compound 21 (85.0 g, 85% yield based on 67.0 g of compound 18 input) as a yellow foam/thick oil. The .sup.1H NMR analysis (CDCl.sub.3) of the prepared material was shown in FIG. 25. The TLC analysis showed the material contained an impurity which will be purged in the next step.

Compound 22

[0453] ##STR00131##

[0454] Compound 21 (84.5 g, 50.6 mmol, 1.0 equiv) was dissolved in THF (1268 mL, 15 vol) and transferred to a 3-L 3-neck flask. Triphenylphosphine (79.6 g, 303.4 mmol, 6.0 equiv) was added. The resultant solution was heated slowly to 40-45° C. After 18 hours water (338 mL, 4 vol) and THF (507 mL, 6 vol) were added. The reaction was heated to 55-60° C. and stirred for 28 hours. The reaction was cooled to ambient temperature and concentrated to dryness. The residue was co-evaporated subsequently with toluene (2 ✕ 200 mL), anhydrous THF (8 ✕ 200 mL), and EtOAc (1 ✕ 200 mL) to remove the remaining water. The residue (177 g) was purified by silica gel chromatography (1.0 kg silica gel, 0-40% EtOAc/heptanes) to give compound 22 (54.4 g, 65% yield) as a white foam/thick oil. The .sup.1H NMR analysis (CDCl.sub.3) of the prepared material was shown in FIG. 26.

Compound 23

[0455] ##STR00132##

[0456] To a 3-L 3-neck flask was charged dodecanedionic acid (150.0 g, 1 wt), followed by heptanes (1350 mL, 9 vol) and benzyl formate (315 mL, 2.1 vol) to afford a white slurry. Dowex 50WX4 resin (210 g, 1.4 wt, hydrogen form, 50-100 mesh) was then added. Rinse the resin container with heptanes (150 mL, 1 vol) and charge to the reaction. The mixture was heated to 80° C. and stirred for 24 hours. The mixture was cooled to ambient temperature. The agitation was stopped and the reaction was settled down for 30 minutes. The mixture was decanted into a filter and filtered. The remaining solids in the reactor was added DCM (450 mL, 3 vol) and stirred for 30 minutes. The mixture was filtered using the same filter and washed the resin with DCM (2 ✕ 300 mL, 2 ✕ 2 vol). The filtrate was concentrated to give an off-white residue (389 g). The residue was stirred with heptanes (1.5 L, 10 vol) at ambient temperature to afford a white slurry. The mixture was filtered and washed with heptanes (2 ✕ 200 mL, 2 × 1.3 vol) to give the 1.sup.st crop of compound 23 (73.0 g) as a white solid. The filtrate was concentrated to give a pale yellow oil (311 g), which was purified by chromatography purification (800 g silica gel; 100% heptanes, then 1:1 DCM/heptanes then 45:45:10 DCM/heptanes/EtOAc). The fractions containing compound 23 and small amounts of impurities were combined and concentrated to give a white residue (54.3 g). The residue was stirred with heptanes (200 mL) for 3 hours, filtered, and washed with heptanes (2 × 50 mL) to give the 2.sup.nd crop of compound 23 (40.6 ) as a white solid. The 1.sup.st crop and 2.sup.nd crop of compound 23 were combined and stirred with heptanes (455 mL) for 1 hour. The mixture was filtered and washed with heptanes (2 × 110 mL) to give compound 23 (111.8 g, 54% yield) as a white solid. The .sup.1H NMR analysis (CDCl.sub.3) of the prepared material was shown in FIG. 27.

Compound 24

[0457] ##STR00133##

[0458] Flask 1: Compound 23 (26.4 g, 82.4 mmol, 2.5 equiv) was charged to a 1-L 3-neck flask, followed by THF (528 mL, 20 vol). The reaction mixture was cooled to 0-10° C. TEA (21.8 mL, 156.5 mmol, 4.75 equiv) was added. Ethyl chloroformate (6.5 mL, 68.5 mmol, 2.08 equiv) was then added dropwise while maintaining the batch temperature < 10° C. The resultant white slurry was stirred at 0-10° C. for 30 minutes and at ambient temperature for 3-4 hours.

[0459] Flask 2: Compound 22 (54.2 g, 32.9 mmol, 1.0 equiv) was transferred to a 3-L 3-neck flask with the help of THF (1084 mL, 20 vol). The resultant solution was cooled to 0-10° C.

[0460] The contents in Flask 1 were slowly transferred to Flask 2 via a cannula while maintaining the batch temperature in Flask 2 < 6° C. The Flask 1 was rinsed with THF (50 mL, 1 vol) and the rinse was also charged to Flask 2. The reaction mixture in Flask 2 was stirred overnight while slowly warming to ambient temperature. Methanol (108 mL, 2 vol) was then added and the resultant mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was concentrated to dryness. The residue (96 g) was purified by silica gel chromatography (1.2 kg silica gel, 0-20% EtOAc/heptanes + 2% TEA) to give 1st crop of compound 24 (43.8 g) as a pale yellow thick oil. A mixed fraction (16.1 g) was further purified by chromatography (330 g silica gel, 0-20% EtOAc/heptanes + 2% TEA) to give 2.sup.nd crop of compound 24 (9.4 g). Two crops of compound 24 were combined go give compound 24 (53.9 g, 84.0% yields) as a white foam/thick oil. The .sup.1H NMR analysis (CDCl.sub.3) of the prepared material was shown in FIG. 28.

Compound 25

[0461] ##STR00134##

[0462] Compound 24 (38.7 g) was transferred to a 2-L hydrogenation reactor with help of THF (387 mL, 10 vol). Pd/C (38.7 g, 10 wt% Pd on dry basis, 50% water, 1.0 wt) was added, followed by ethanol (387 mL, 10 vol). The mixture was stirred overnight at ambient temperature under 45-50 psi of H2. The batch was then filtered through a Celite pad (116 g, 3 wt) and washed with EtOH (2 ✕ 194 mL, 2 ✕ 5 vol; then 2 ✕ 310 mL, 2 ✕ 8 vol). The combined filtrate was filtered through filter paper and concentrated to give compound 25 (23.3 g, 83% yields) as an off-white solid. The .sup.1H NMR analysis (CD.sub.3OD) of the prepared material was shown in FIG. 29. This material was used in the next step without further purification.

Compound 26 (TQL-1055)

[0463] ##STR00135##

[0464] Compound 25 (50.7 g) in a mixture of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA, 811 mL, 16 vol) and water (203 mL, 4 vol) was stirred at 0-10° C. for 3.5 hours. The mixture was then co-evaporated with toluene via rotatory vaporation until all the TFA and water were removed. The residue was dissolved in MeOH (350 mL) and concentrated to give an off-white solid (52.5 g). The solids were purified by chromatography (2.2 kg silica gel, 0-25% DCM/MeOH) to give compound 26 (15.9 g). The mixed fractions were re-purified by chromatography (1.1 kg silica gel, 0-25% DCM/MeOH) to give another crop of compound 26 (8.7 g).

[0465] The aforementioned two lots of compound 26 (15.9 g; 8.7 g) were combined with two other lots of compound 26 (7.0 g; 10.6 g) to generate a single lot of crude compound 26 (42.2 g). Compound 26 (10.0 g) was then purified again by chromatography (600 g silica gel, 0-25% DCM/MeOH) to give compound 26 (5.5 g). This material was then rinsed with 60/40 MeOH/water 6 times (each time 1 L of solvents mixture). The mixture was filtered and dried to afford pure compound 26 (3.5 g). The HPLC analysis showed 96.4% AUC purity.

[0466] The four lots of purified material were then dissolved in MeOH and combined. The mixture was diluted with water and concentrated to remove MeOH under vacuum. The resulting mixture was then lyophilized to give compound 26 (20.2 g) as a white fluffy solid. The .sup.1H and .sup.13C NMR are shown in FIGS. 30-31.

Example 2: Synthesis of SQS-21 (Api and Xyl)

[0467] It would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that common reaction intermediates shown in Examples 1 and 2, and/or protected or modified versions thereof, can be produced according to the schemes shown in either example. Additionally, it is within the level of ordinary skill in the art to modify or adapt the reactions shown in Examples 1 and 2 in order to produce compounds encompassing Formula I or Formula II as described in the present application.

Isolation and Selective Protection of Branched Trisaccharide-Triterpene Prosapogenin.SUB.:

Part A: Isolation of Branched Trisaccharide-Triterpene Prosapogenins From Quil A.

[0468] 1. In a 250-mL round-bottomed flask equipped with a reflux condenser, Quil A (1.15 g) and potassium hydroxide (0.97 g, 17 mmol) are suspended in EtOH/water (1:1) (50 mL), then the mixture is heated to 80° C. for 7 h. [0469] 2. The reaction is cooled to 0° C., neutralized with 1.0 N HCl, and concentrated to approximately one-half volume (care must be taken to avoid excessive foaming and bumping; water bath should be kept at 35° C. and pressure decreased slowly). [0470] 3. The mixture is frozen and lyophilized, and the resulting dry solid is purified by silica gel chromatography (CHCl.sub.3/MeOH/water/AcOH, 15:9:2:1). The major product corresponding to the main spot observed by TLC is isolated by concentrating the desired fractions. [0471] 4. The resulting solid is dried by azeotropic removal of solvents with toluene (2×20 mL) and lyophilized in MeCN/water (1:1) (3×15 mL) to provide a mixture of prosapogenins (5:6, 2.5:1) as a light tan foam (~0.55 g, 50% mass yield). These xylose- and rhamnose-containing prosapogenins correspond to the two most abundant trisaccharide-triterpene fragments found in QS saponins, and are advanced to the next protection step without further purification.

Part A′: Isolation of Branched Trisaccharide-Triterpene Prosapogenins From Soapwort Seed Extract.

[0472] ##STR00136##

##STR00137##

##STR00138##

[0473] Isolation of the branched trisaccharide from Soapwort seed extract may proceed in a substantially similar fashion to the procedure laid out above.

Part B: Synthesis of Triethylsilyl (TES)-Protected Prosapogenin by Selective Protection Of Prosapogenin Hydroxyl Groups

[0474] 1. In a 25-mL modified Schlenk flask, the solid mixture of prosapogenins 27 and 28 (~0.55 g) is azeotroped from pyridine (5 mL), then additional pyridine (8 mL) is added, followed by TESOTf (2.0 mL, 8.8 mmol). [0475] 2. The reaction mixture is stirred for 2.75 days, then TESOTf (0.3 mL, 1.3 mmol) is added, followed by two further additions (0.1 mL each, 0.44 mmol each) 24 h and 48 h later, respectively (the last extra addition of TESOTf is situation-dependent and only required if the reaction is still incomplete after the first 4 days). [0476] 3. After a total of 5 days, the mixture is concentrated and passed through a short plug of silica gel eluted with hexanes/EtOAc (4:1 to 2:1). The eluate is concentrated, the resulting yellow oil is dissolved in MeOH/THF (1:1) (20 mL), and the solution is stirred for 3.5 days to remove the silyl esters by solvolysis. [0477] 4. The reaction mixture is concentrated and the resulting mixture of xylose- and rhamnose-containing (TES).sub.9 -protected prosapogenin diacids is separated by silica gel chromatography (hexanes/EtOAc, 4:1 to 2:1) to afford purified xylose-containing protected prosapogenin (~0.25 g, ~22% yield) as a white solid.

Part C: Synthesis of Protected Quillaja Prosapogenin by Selective Esterification of Glucuronic Acid Carboxylic Acid in Protected Prosapogenin

[0478] 1. In a 10-mL modified Schlenk flask, the prosapogenin diacid (81 mg, 41 .Math.mol, 1.0 equiv.) is dissolved in DCM (0.7 mL) and pyridine (30 .Math.L, 0.37 mmol, 9.0 equiv.) and TBP (102 mg, 0.41 mmol, 10 equiv.) are added, followed by benzyl chloroformate (15 .Math.L, 0.11 mmol, 2.6 equiv.). [0479] 2. The reaction is stirred for 6 h, additional benzyl chloroformate (3.0 .Math.L, 21 .Math.mol, 0.51 equiv.) is added (the extra addition of CbzCl after the first 6 h depends on the progress of the reaction in each particular case; when purifying by silica gel chromatography, elution with benzene/EtOAc (100:0 to 24:1) can also be considered) and the reaction is stirred for another 20 h. [0480] 3. The mixture is concentrated and purified by silica gel chromatography (hexanes/EtOAc, 20:1 to 7:1) to afford selectively glucuronate-protected prosapogenin 30 (58 mg, 68 %) as a white solid.

Acyl Chain Synthesis

Acyl Chain Scheme 1

[0481] ##STR00139##

[0482] The product of Scheme 1 is assembled with an oligosaccharide produced as shown in the present application.

Acyl Chain Scheme 2

[0483] ##STR00140##

[0484] The product of Scheme 2 can be reacted as shown in Scheme 1 to produce the product shown in Scheme 1.

Acyl Chain Scheme 3

[0485] ##STR00141##

[0486] The product of Scheme 3 can be reacted as shown in Schemes 1 or 2 to produce the intermediate.

Acyl Chain Scheme 4

[0487] ##STR00142##

[0488] Protection/deprotection and enantioselective ketone reduction and sialylation gives the common intermediate. The product of Scheme 4 can be reacted as shown in Schemes 1 or 2 to produce the intermediate.

Acyl Chain Scheme 5

[0489] ##STR00143##

[0490] The product of Scheme 4 can be reacted as shown in Schemes 1 or 2 to produce the intermediate.

Oligosaccharide Synthesis

QSApi:

Oligosaccharide Scheme 1

[0491] ##STR00144##

##STR00145##

##STR00146##

##STR00147##

##STR00148##

##STR00149##

Oligosaccharide Scheme 2

[0492] Synthesis of 54′ using common intermediate compound 1. Compound 54′ similar intermediate as compound 54.

##STR00150##

QS-21 Xyl

QS-21 Xyl Scheme 1

[0493] ##STR00151##

##STR00152##

##STR00153##

##STR00154##

##STR00155##

##STR00156##

QS-21 Xyl Scheme 2

[0494] This scheme uses the common intermediate produced in the QS-21-Api synthesis shown previously. Compound 46 is similar to intermediate compound 46′.

##STR00157##

[0495] The product of Scheme 2 can be reacted as shown in Scheme 1 to produce the intermediate.

Late-Stage Assembly

QSApi

[0496] Assembly of acyl chain as shown previously with oligosaccharide shown previously. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand how to modify and/or use compound 54′ in the scheme shown herein such that compounds 54 and 54′, or modified versions thereof, are interchangeable.

##STR00158##

QSXyl

[0497] Assembly of acyl chain as shown previously with oligosaccharide shown previously.

##STR00159##

Coupling and Deprotection

QSApi

Coupling and Deprotection

[0498]

QSXyl

[0499]

Example 3: Prevnar-13-CRM197 Conjugate Vaccine Adjuvanted With Synthetic Saponins

[0500] The impact of synthetic QS-21 and TQL-1055 (Compound 26) on antibody titers induced by the FDA approved human pmeumococcal-CRM197 conjugate vaccine, Prevnar-13, was tested. Mice were immunized with Prevnar-13 in the presence or absence of synthetic saponin adjuvants at two different Prevnar dose levels (0.04 mcg and 0.2 mcg). Mice were immunized once at Day 0 and bled on Day 21 for serum analysis. FIG. 2 of the present application reports data obtained in this study, showing the immunogenicity of high or low dose Prevnar-13 or of Lym2-CRM197 conjugate in combination with synthetic QS-21 (SQS-21) or TQL-1055 (Compound 26).

Example 4: Impact of TQL-1055 (Compound 26) and QS-21 on Tdap Vaccine Adacel Immunogenicity

[0501] Adacel doses containing 1, 0.3, and 0.1 mcg of pertussis toxin per mouse were administered subcutaneously (SC, with no immunological adjuvant), using 2 vaccinations 4 weeks apart, resulting in a mean of 1,618 mcg, 898 mcg, and 107 mcg respectively of anti-PT antibody per ml of serum drawn 2 weeks after the second vaccination. The 0.1 mcg dose was indistinguishable from unvaccinated controls (96 mcg/ml). A 0.5 mcg dose of Adacel was selected for a pharmacology/toxicology (pharm/tox) study. The serological results for this study are summarized in FIG. 3 of the present application. Antibody levels in the groups of 5 mice 2 weeks after the second SC immunization were augmented by 70 fold (726 to 52,344) with TiterQuil-1055 (TQL-1055 / Compound 26) (and further increased 2 weeks later) and 10 fold with QS-21 compared to immunization with Adacel alone. No weight loss was detected in the mice receiving 50 mcg of TiterQuil-1055 while the 20 mcg QS-21 injected mice lost 8-9% of their body weight.

Example 5: Impact of TiterQuil-1-0-5-5 and QS-21 on Hepatitis B Vaccine Engerix-B Immunogenicity

[0502] Experiments were conducted with Engerix-B (HBV adult vaccine) in groups of 10 mice. Initially 3 mcg, 1 mcg, 0.3 mcg, 0.1 mcg, and 0.03 mcg Engerix-B doses per mouse were tested. Mean resulting anti-HBsAg antibody levels were 92,512 mcg/ml, 64,255 mcg/ml, 24,847 mcg/ml, 3,682 mcg/ml, and 910 mcg/ml respectively, with the 0.03 dose being indistinguishable from controls (821 mcg/ml). The 0.3 mcg dose of Engerix-B was selected for further studies and this dose was used mixed with various doses of TiterQuil-1055 (TQL-1055 / Compound I-4). The resulting geometric mean antibody concentrations are summarized in FIG. 4 of the present application. While 10 mcg of TiterQuil-1055 appeared to have no serologic effect, mixture of 30 and 100 mcg TiterQuil-1055 with Engerix-B resulted in a >6 and 5-fold increase (respectively) in antibody levels compared to Engerix-B alone. Lack of antibody increase or decreasing responses at TiterQuil-1055 doses above 50 mcg per mouse has been a consistent finding. No weight loss was seen at the 30 mcg TiterQuil-1055 dose and only 4% and 5% at the 100 and 300 mcg doses.

Example 6: Results of a Pilot Pharmacology/toxicology With Adacel QS-21 and TiterQuil-1055

[0503] A pharm/tox study was conducted in 7 groups of 5 mice: 1) PBS alone, 2) 50 mcg TiterQuil-1055, 3) 20 mcg QS-21, 4) Adacel 2.5 mcg pertussis toxin (⅕ the human dose), 5) Adacel + QS-21 (20 mcg QS-21), 6) Adacel + TiterQuil-1055 (50 mcg), 7) Adacel + TiterQuil-1055 (50 mcg). Mice were vaccinated SC on days 1 and 15, weighed daily, and bled and sacrificed on day 22, except for group 7 which was sacrificed on day 29. No changes in blood chemistry or hematology results were seen in any group. 7-9% weight loss was seen in all mice in groups 3 and 5 (in agreement with prior results of QS-21) and in no other mice. Histopathology of 33 different tissues was performed on all mice. Detected abnormalities were restricted to the liver. Moderate to severe hepatocellular cytoplasmic vacuolization was seen in all mice in groups 4-6 (completely attributable to the pertussis vaccine at this dose, groups 5 and 6 were no more severe than group 4) but no mice in groups 1 or 2. This abnormality was short lived and was no detected in group 7, which was sacrificed one week after groups 1-6. Mild vacuolar changes were seen in all mice in group 3 (QS-21 alone). No changes at all were seen in groups 1 and 2 (PBS and TiterQuil-1055).

Example 7: Stability and Hemolytic Activity of Compound 1-4 (TQL-1055 / TiterQuil-1-0-5-5)

[0504] Natural and synthetic QS-21 (SQS-21 or SAPONEX®) and a variety of analogs were tested for hemolytic activity. This data clearly demonstrates that QS-21 is highly hemolytically active whereas several of t0he structural analogs, particularly Compound I-4 (TiterQuil-1-0-5-5 / TQL-1055), demonstrated much lower or undetectable hemolytic activity in addition to increased stability. FIG. 5 depicts results a hemolytic assay performed with TiterQuil-1055. In a companion toxicity study three days after immunization, animals that received 20 mcg of QS-21 have lost 8-10% of their body mass on average, whereas PBS, TiterQuil-101 and TiterQuil-1055 recipients have gained 5% on average (normal weight gain in young mice). Without being bound by theory, hemolytic activity may be a direct result of degradation of QS-21 under physiologic conditions and TiterQuil-1055′s lack of hemolytic activity may result from improved stability. After two weeks at 37° C., 20% of QS-21 degraded, whereas TiterQuil-1055 was still intact without detectable degradation.