Synthesis of a novel acceptor substrate for a mannosyl transferase

Two novel analogues of the mannosyl transferase acceptor substrate (GlcNAc)2-pyrophosphate-dolichyl 2 have been prepared in which dolichyl is replaced by phytanyl 4 and lauryl 5; both 4 and 5 were synthesised using readily available chitin as the disaccharide precursor.