Galactose‐Phosphonates As Mimetics of the Sialyltransfer by Trypanosomal Sialidases

In an attempt to find competitive inhibitors of the trans‐sialidase of the pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi, we have synthesized conjugates of carbocyclic sialylmimetics (e.g., cyclohexenephosphonates) and galactose derivatives. A trans‐sialidase inhibition assay revealed an interesting preference for ethylidene‐spacered conjugates involving the 3‐position of the sugar.