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.