Stereocontrolled synthesis of the aminocyclitol moiety of (+)-trehazolin via C–H insertion reaction of alkylidenecarbene

The aminocyclitol moiety of (+)-trehazolin, a powerful trehalase inhibitor, was synthesized in a stereocontrolled manner from cis-2-butene-1,4-diol via C–H insertion reaction of the alkylidenecarbene, followed by regioselective opening of the epoxide ring. It was obtained in an enantiomerically pure form by twice using Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation.