Stereoselective synthesis of N-galactofuranosyl amides

alpha- or beta-Galactofuranosyl (Gall) amides can be synthesized with high stereoselectivity by traceless Staudinger ligation starting from unprotected beta-galactofuranosyl azide or tetra-O-acetyl-beta-galactofuranosyl azide, respectively. The resulting Galf amides are hitherto unknown molecules, with interesting potential as inhibitors of mycobacterial growth.