Synthesis of d- and l-erythro 1,5-dithiopent-1-enopyranoside sulfonium salts and their evaluation as glycosidase inhibitors

Abstract: A series of sulfonium salts derived from 1,5-dithiopent-1-enopyranosides was prepared in a three-step sequence from protected d- and l-erythrofuranoses. The key step is the nucleophilic displacement of a leaving group by a sulfur atom of carbohydrate-derived ketene dithioacetals. Such compounds were assayed for their properties as glycosidase inhibitors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]