A simple synthesis of N-perfluoroacylated and N-acylated glycals of neuraminic acid with a cyclic aminic substituent at the 4α position as possible inhibitors of sialidases.

A simple protocol for the synthesis of N-perfluoroacylated and N-acylated glycals of neuraminic acid, with a secondary cyclic amine (morpholine or piperidine) at the 4α position, has been set-up, starting from peracetylated N-acetylneuraminic acid methyl ester that undergoes, sequentially to its direct N-transacylation followed by a C-4 amination, a β-elimination, and a selective hydrolysis of the ester functions, without affecting the sensitive perfluorinated amide. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2012