The conformational behavior of different aza-
C-glycosides synthesized as glycosidase inhibitorshas been studied using a combination of NMR spectroscopy (
J and NOE data) and time-averaged restrainedmolecular dynamics calculations. The obtained results show that the population distribution of conformersaround their pseudoglycosidic linkages is mainly controlled by 1,3-
syn-diaxial interactions. Electrostatic effectsslightly modulate the conformational equilibrium. This result is in contrast with that observed for
O-glycosides.For these natural compounds, the conformational behavior around the glycosidic linkage
is mainly governedby the
exo-anomeric effect. Experimentally based energy values for both the 1,3-
syn-diaxial interactions andthe stereoelectronic effect have been deduced. Finally, the inhibitory activity of these compounds has beentested again a variety of glycosidase enzymes.