The cyclization of PET-generated α-trimethylsilylmethylamine radical cation to a tethered acetylene moiety has been exploited to solve the problem of the generation of an aminomethyl group next to a stereocenter in the synthesis of 1-N-iminosugar type glycosidase inhibitors. Its success is demonstrated by the synthesis of (+)- as well as (-)-isofagomine, an extremely potent β-glucosidase inhibitor of the 1-N-iminosugar class.
photoinduced electron transfer (PET) - α-trimethylsilylmethylamine radical cation - glycosidase inhibitors - 1-N-iminosugars - isofagomine