Trifluoromethyl analogues of methylerythritol
phosphate (MEP) and
2-C-methyl-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate (MEcPP),
natural substrates of key enzymes from the MEP pathway, were prepared
starting from d-glucose as the chiral template to secure
absolute configurations. The obligate trifluoromethyl group was inserted
with complete diastereoselectivity using the Ruppert–Prakash
nucleophile. Target compounds were assayed against the corresponding
enzymes showing that trifluoro-MEP did not disrupt IspD activity,
whereas trifluoro-MEcPP induced 40% inhibition of IspG at 1 mM.