l-3,4-di-O-benzyl-1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino-D-glucitol and L-gulitol under
go easy isomerization, mainly either by ring contraction, or either by
SN2 inv,ersion at C2. This isomerization performed by bis-hydroxyl ac
tivation allows to access to 2,5-dideoxy-2,5-imino-L-iditol, 5-epi-DNJ
, DMDP, and DMJ.