Synthesis of 6-, 7- and 8-carbon sugar analogues of potent anti-influenza 2,3-didehydro-2,3-dideoxy-N-acetylneuraminic acid derivatives

Analogues of the potent anti-influenza A and B compound, 4-guanidino-Neu5Ac2en, are described in which the stereochemically demanding C-6-glycerol side-chain is truncated. Syntheses of the one- and two-carbon side-chain analogues, of both 4-guanidino- and 4-amino-Neu5Ac2en, are presented, as well as the syntheses of analogues lacking any side-chain. Whilst complete removal of the C-6 side-chain abolishes activity, a stepwise increase in inhibition of influenza neuraminidase and influenza A and B in cell culture with increasing C-6 chain length is observed. The one-carbon, hydroxymethyl derivative retains significant activity to represent a suitable lead in the search for neuraminidase inhibitors of reduced stereochemical demand and synthetic complexity.