Synthesis of 4-Nitrophenyl β-d-galactofuranoside

β-d-Galactofuranosyl units (β-d-Galf) are constituents of microorganisms, some of them pathogenic, such as Mycobacteria, the trypanosomatids Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania, ¹ and fungi such as Aspergillus fumigatus. ² Since Galf has never been found in mammals, its biosynthesis and metabolism are good targets for chemotherapeutic strategies. In some species, the degradation of Galf-containing glycoconjugates is promoted by extracellular β-d-galactofuranosidases. For example, Penicillium and Apergillius species, ³ Helminthosporium sacchari, ⁴ and Trichoderma harzianum ⁵ produce exo β-d-galactofuranosidases (EC 3.2.1.146).