Novel spirohydantoins of d-allose and d-ribose derived from glyco-α-aminonitriles

Abstract The synthesis of 3-spirohydantoin derivatives of d -allose and d -ribose is reported. The key step is the stereoselective conversion of glyco-α-aminonitriles from ulose derivatives of d -glucose and d -xylose using titanium(IV) isopropoxide as a mild and efficient catalyst. Cyclisation of the glyco-α-aminonitriles give the target spirohydantoins.