The diastereo-and enantioselective functionalisation of 1,4-cyclohexad
ienylsilanes using Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation and aminohydro
xylation offers a straightforward access to various classes of potent
inhibitors of glycosidases. The scope and limitation of this desymmetr
isation method is illustrated here with the synthesis of various condu
ritols, carba-sugars and carba-C-disaccharides.