Modification of arabinogalactan propargyl ethers by triazolyl functions

•Modification of arabinogalactan propargyl ethers via CuAAC.•60–100% of terminal alkyne groups were converted.•Eight new 1,2,3-triazole conjugates from arabinogalactan were prepared.•Aromatic, heteroaromatic, allyl, carboxymethyl groups were introduced.•The structure of triazolo arabinogalactans was confirmed by IR and 13C NMR. Polysaccharide arabinogalactan (AG) has been modified by triazolyl functions via the copper-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar addition of azides to propargyl ethers. A range of new AG triazolo derivatives bearing benzyl, 4-vinylbenzyl, 1-naphthylmethyl, (1-vinylimidazol-2-yl)methyl, (1-ethylimidazol-2-yl)methyl, (1-vinylbenzimidazol-2-yl)methyl, allyl, carboxymethyl (as Na-salt) substituents is prepared by “one-pot” approach from organic azides generated in situ and AG propargyl ethers. The latter (degree of substitution 2.0–2.2) are converted into 1,2,3-triazolo AGs in DMSO/water mixture in the presence of CuSO4·5H2O/sodium ascorbate/Et3N in 82–94% yields and with 60–100% conversion.