Synthesis of dihydroxymethyl dihydroxypyrrolidines and steviamine analogues from C-2 formyl glycals.

Synthesis of dihydroxymethyl dihydroxypyrrolidines from C-2 formyl D-glycals has been described via a common dicarbonyl intermediate. The hence obtained pyrrolidines have been further utilized for the synthesis of some steviamine analogues. The newly synthesized molecules have been evaluated for glycosidase inhibition against 6 commercially available enzymes and found to be active in the micromolar range, where one of the steviamine analogues showed good and selective inhibition of β-mannosidase (Helix pomatia).