Synthesis of branched seven-membered 1-N-iminosugars and their evaluation as glycosidase inhibitors.

Four branched tetra- and pentahydroxylated azepanes have been synthesized from a common azepane precursor through dihydroxylation followed by deoxygenation. They have been assayed as glycosidase inhibitors on a panel of 22 glycosidases and one methylated azepane displayed selective, competitive, and moderate inhibition toward bovine kidney α-L-fucosidase.