Various substituted D-hexopypyranosides units with nitrogen-containing functionalities are present in many important natural compounds and pharmaceutical substances. Since their complex structural diversity contributes to a broad spectrum of biological functions and activities, these derivatives are frequently studied. This review covers syntheses of D-hexopyranosides with vicinal nitrogen-containing functionalities since the 1960s, when the first articles emerged. The syntheses are arranged according to the positions of substitutions, to form a relative configuration of vicinal functionalities, and synthetic methodologies.
Keywords: D-hexopyranosides; Michael addition; activated hydroxyl group; aminoglycoside antibiotics; aziridine ring-opening; glucosamine; neuraminidase inhibitors; nitrogen-containing functionalities.