Synthesis and antioxidant capacity of novel stable 5-tellurofuranose derivatives.

Novel stable tellurium-containing carbohydrate derivatives are prepared from hexitols and pentitols through a double nucleophilic substitution with NaHTe in PEG-400. These tellurosugars react at very high rates with two-electron oxidants, including hypochlorous and peroxynitrous acid, formed at sites of inflammation, and show considerable promise as protective agents against oxidative damage.