Synthesis of O-unprotected glycosyl selenoureas. A new access to bicyclic sugar isoureas

β-d-Gluco and mannopyranosyl selenoureas have been prepared by coupling of the corresponding glycosylamines with phenyl isoselenocyanate in aqueous pyridine. Alkyl and aryl isoselenocyanates, and 1,4-phenylene diisoselenocyanate have been obtained from the corresponding formamides with an excess of triphosgene, black selenium and triethylamine. Treatment of the O-unprotected β-d-glucopyranosyl selenourea with aqueous oxygen peroxide afforded a 1,2-trans-fused bicyclic isourea.