Hydroxymethyl compounds ethylene derivatives

Castanospermine can be regarded as a bicyclic derivative of DNJ, with an ethylene bridge between the hydroxymethyl group and the ring nitrogen. However, owing to its toxicity, this compound was considered unsuitable for therapeutic use in diabetes mellitus. Unsuccessful attempts were made to synthesise derivatives of castanospermine that were better tolerated. ... 

Titanium complexes derived from ethylene-bridged 2-indenyl ligands (Scheme 650) have been prepared by reductive dehydroxy coupling of 2-(hydroxymethyl)indenes with low-valent titanium compounds. Alkyl substitution of the indene ring at C(3) improves the regioselectivity of the reductive coupling.1671... 

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