Synthesis of the Sialic Acid (-)-KDN and Certain Epimers from (-)-3-Dehydroshikimic Acid or (-)-Quinic Acid

Abstract

(-)-3-Dehydroshikimic acid (3-DHS, 4), a C(7)-building block now available in large quantity from corn syrup, has been converted into the sialic acid (-)-KDN (3) as well as its C-7- and C-8-epimers. (-)-Quinic acid can be used for the same purpose.