Total synthesis of 3,3-difluorinated 1-deoxynojirimycin analogues

Difluorination of 1-deoxynojirimycin at position C(3) creates a competitive inhibitor 15 of 10 times higher activity against an α-glucosidase than the parent compound. Its screening against a panel of human cell lines showed a low cytotoxicity therefore making this compound an interesting candidate for further clinical investigations.