A general strategy towards the synthesis of 1-N-iminosugar type glycosidase inhibitors: demonstration by the synthesis of d- as well as l-glucose type iminosugars (isofagomines)

Both enantiomers of isofagomine, the potent glycosidase inhibitor of a type 1-N-iminosugar have been synthesized by the intramolecular cyclization of the PET generated α-trimethylsilylmethylamine radical cation with the appropriate tethered acetylene moiety.