Simple synthesis of (–)-deoxymannojirimycin and (2S,3R,4R,5R)-3,4,5-trihydroxypipecolic acid via regioselective hydrolysis

A short and efficient synthesis of (–)-deoxymannojirimycin and (2S,3R,4R,5R)-3,4,5-trihydroxypipecolic acid is described with D-glucono-δ-lactone as chiral educt. Key transformations included selective cleavage of a terminal isopropylidene group with Dowex 50W-X8 (H+) and intramolecular nucleophilic amination.