Spirohydantoins from D-ribose as new potent enzymatic inhibitors.

Anomeric spirohydantoin derivatives from monosaccharides are known for various biological properties. We describe herein the synthesis of the 3-spirohydantoin derivatives of D-allose and D-ribose. The key step is the stereoselective glyco-alpha-aminonitrile formation from ulose derivatives of D-glucose and D-xylose using titanium tetra-isopropoxide as a mild and efficient catalyst. Target compounds were synthesized from these intermediates. The glucidic moiety was partially or totally deprotected under acidic conditions. These new heterocyclic monosaccharidic derivatives are potent glycogen phosphorylase inhibitors.