Synthesis and influenza neuraminidase inhibitory activity of aromatic analogues of sialic acid

Aromatic analogues of sialic acid (2 and 3) have been synthesized as potential influenza neuraminidase inhibitors. Whereas compound 2 exhibited good neuraminidase inhibitory activity, compound 3, possessing the glycerol side chain at the C5 position, was not a neuraminidase inhibitor.