D-galactofuranosylphosphonates.: First synthesis of UDP-C-D-galactofuranose

The chemical synthesis of two phosphono analogues of D-galactofuranosyl phosphate was performed. The natural phosphate seemed to be too labile to allow the chemical synthesis of UDP-Galf, these C-galactofuranosides are stable pharmacophores, and the cr-phosphono analogue has been easily converted into UDP-C-Galf. UDP-C-Galf was tested as a competitive inhibitor of UDP-galactopyranose mutase and showed inhibition of Galf formation. Thus, it is of potential interest as an antimycobacterial agent; as an active molecule against Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of South American trypanosomiasis (Chagas' disease), and as a stable analogue for use in UDP-galactopyranose mutase crystallization studies.