The importance of glycotriazoles in medicinal chemistry – A narrative review

Glycosides have gained increasing significance due to their roles in energy provision, structural function, and intercellular communication in living organisms. This recognition laid the foundation for advancements in glycobiology and pharmacology. This review traces the evolution of sugar modification methodologies to aglycones throughout the 20th century, culminating in the development of a groundbreaking coupling approach utilizing triazoles as molecular linkers. The “Click Chemistry,” an innovation in [2 + 3] cycloaddition, has allowed for the formation of glyco-compounds through energetically favorable reactions, and usually requires prior preparation of the terminal alkyne precursor and organic azide. This strategy has the significant benefit as a “synthetic structural access tool” – providing a way to achieve structures with regioselectivity that would not be accessible via other methods. This coupling method has emerged as a powerful tool in modern glyco-chemistry, enabling the synthesis of novel compounds with significant therapeutic potential. The triazole linkage can improve the stability (dependent on the individual molecules) and bioactivity of glycosides but also opens new venues for the development of drug candidates with enhanced efficacy and broader applications in medicinal chemistry. This review highlights the importance of glycotriazoles in advancing the field of medicinal chemistry and their potentials in future therapeutic development.