An efficient synthesis of aldohexose-derived piperidine nitrones: precursors of piperidine iminosugars.

D-glucopyranose-derived and L-idopyranose-derived piperidine nitrones were synthesized in good overall yields through six-step reaction sequence starting from readily available 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-D-glucopyranose. The method is efficient and could be general for the synthesis of aldohexose-derived piperidine nitrones which are precursors of piperidine iminosugars.