A series of iminocyclitols was prepared using a versatile synthetic strategy, and their inhibition of
glycosidases was evaluated using capillary electrophoresis. The study has demonstrated that
remarkable specificities in enzyme inhibition can be achieved with small modifications on the aglycon
side chain and the ring nitrogen. Among the compounds synthesized, (2R,3R,4R,5R)-N-methyl-2-(acetamidomethyl)-3,4-dihydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine was found to be very potent against
β-N-acetylhexosaminidase P with the K
i value of 80 nM.