Stereoselective synthesis of several azido/amino- and diazido/diamino-myo-inositols and their phosphates from p-benzoquinone

A practical route is described for the preparation of azido-myo-inositols, amino-myo-inositols and azido-conduritol B derivatives. Starting from p-benzoquinone, optically pure compounds in both forms can be prepared via enzymatic resolution of a derived diacetoxy conduritol B derivative. Selective introduction of nitrogen-containing functional groups in four of the six possible positions in the cyclitol moiety is followed by further functionalization to yield the target compounds.     

A novel class of organo- (hydro-) gelators based on ascorbic acid

A library of novel, lipid-modified derivatives of ascorbic acid was shown to exhibit highly attractive properties as surfactants, emulsifiers, oil soluble antioxidants, and highly effective gelators in organic solvents and especially water. In these systems, intermolecular hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces act synergistically to induce gelation as confirmed by spectroscopic studies. The morphology of the formed gel has been characterized by scanning electron microscopy.     

Flexible Synthesis of Polyhydroxylated 2,2-Disubstituted Pyrrolidines

Many polyhydroxylated pyrrolidines and piperidines have attracted considerable attention because they have been shown to selectively inhibit the oligosaccharide processing enzymes by mimicking the transition state.² Especially their potential to exhibit antibacterial, antiviral³ and cancerostatic activities⁴ has led to a tremendous interest and demand for flexible synthetic strategies.