Facile syntheses of 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) and 1-deoxymannojirimycin (DMJ)

1-Deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) and 1-deoxymannojirimycin (DMJ) were synthesized through a concise and practicable pathway. A strategy of using carbohydrate derivatives bearing two leaving groups in the preparation of azasugars by di-N-alkylation of amines was developed. The strategy involved the selective partial protection of dibromo alditols.