Improved Synthesis for Modular Ascarosides Uncovers Biological Activity

A versatile synthesis of modular ascarosides, a family of signaling molecules from Caenorhabditis elegans and other nematodes, via hydrogenolysis of a cyclic sulfate derived from methyl-α-l-rhamnopyranoside is reported. The route enables selective introduction of different side chains at the 1, 2, and 4 positions of the sugar, as demonstrated for ascarosides from C. elegans and Pristionchus pacificus. Bioassays with synthetic samples of 4′-tigloyl ascaroside mbas#3 revealed its role as an avoidance or dispersal signal.