A bicyclic analogue of beta -D-mannopyranose with nitrogen atoms replacing
the ring and glycosidic oxygen atoms has been prepared in a single step fro
m 5-O-mesyl-D-mannofuranose by a process that likely involves double displa
cement and an epoxide intermediate. A similar but protected bicyclic analog
ue of 6-deoxy-beta -L-gulopyranose has been prepared by an electrophilic cy
clization reaction. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.