Stereomeric Pyrrolidinopentoses Bearing an Imidazole Ring − Synthesis, Chiroptical Properties, and Evaluation as Potential Sugar-Mimic Glycosidase Inhibitors

Abstract

The syntheses of the imidazolo-pyrrolidino-pentoses ent-2 (L-arabino), 3 (D-xylo), 4 (D-lyxo), ent-4 (L-lyxo), and 5 (D-ribo) are reported, completing the series of all eight possible stereomers. The corresponding five linear imidazolo sugar precursors were prepared by nucleophilic addition of C(4)-metallated imidazole derivatives to the appropriately configured and protected aldotetroses. Cyclisation of the resulting linear imidazolo-carbohydrates was performed by means of intramolecular Walden inversion processes, followed by deprotection to afford the five target imidazolo-sugars. Three of the four D-configured stereomers proved to be good to moderate glycosidase inhibitors, as determined by Michaelis−Menten kinetics.