Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of N-phthalimidomethyl 2,3-dideoxy- and 2,3-unsaturated glycosides

3,4,6-Tri-O-acetyl-D-galactal, 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-D-glucal and 3,6,2',3',4'6'-hexa-O-acetyl-D-lactal were reacted with N-hydroxymethylphthalimide and boron trifluoride etherate to produce the corresponding phthalimidomethyl unsaturated glycosides via Ferrier rearrangement. When the galactal derivative was used, a non-Ferrier rearrangement product was also isolated as a minor product under classical Ferrier conditions. Phthalimidomethyl deoxy glycosides were readily prepared by hydrogenation of the unsaturated glycosides. Following deacetylation, the anti-inflammatory activities of these compounds were tested on mice and three were found to possess potent activity compared to hydrocortisone sodium succinate (HSS).