Cyclic guanidino-sugars with different pK a values are designed and synthesized as transition-state analog inhibitors of galactosidases. Characterization of these structures (7, 10, 12) reveals that 7 and 10 are in a pHdependent equilibrium between a furanose form and a mixture of neutral and protonated tetrahydropyrimidine forms. In contrast, the O-linked guanidino-sugar 12 exists as the tetrahydropyrimidine forms above pH 5. The furanosetetrahydropyrimidine equilibrium can thus be modulated with the appropriate N-substituent which affects the guanidinosugar pK a value. Enzymatic inhibition by 7, 10, and 12 is also pH-dependent, indicating that the enzymes recognize the tetrahydropyrimidine form. Evidence is presented to support a dominant role for the uncharged form of the six-membered cyclic guanidino-sugar in the inhibition of galactosidases. Though the inhibition potency is moderate (K i range 4-50 µM), the use of cyclic guanidino-sugars in the study provides new insights into the mechanism of inhibition of glycosidases.Oligosaccharide biosynthesis and degradation pathways are crucial to such diverse processes as HIV-1 replication, inflammation, blood clotting, cell differentiation, tumor development, cell routing, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders. Mechanistic understanding 1 and inhibition 2-5 of the enzymes that direct these reactions (glycosidases, glycosyltransferases) are areas of considerable interest. Both classes of enzymes are thought to proceed through a flattened half-chair (or twist-boat) conforma-X