Diels-Alder cycloaddition of sorbic aldehyde derivative 9 and of sorbi
c acid 10 with the chiral chloro-nitroso dienophile 7 led with excelle
nt regio- and diastereoselectivity to the chiral cycloadducts 11a and
12, respectively. Catalytic osmylation of their Bzl-derivatives 11b an
d 13b, followed by reductive cleavage of the N-O bonds, gave ultimatel
y the chiral aminoallose derivatives D-5 and D-6 which are potential g
lycosidase inhibitors.