Abstract Synthesis of 2-(5a), 3-(5b) and 4-formyl-1-methylpyridinium iodides (5c) and (2, 2- dihydroxyethyl) trimethylammonium chloride (6a) is described. In aqueous solution aldehydes 5 exist predominantly as hydrates-geminal diols 7. The ability of the geminal diols 6a and 7 to reactivate acetylcholinesterase inhibited by isopropyl methylfluorophosphonate (Sarin) was tested in vitro. Although compounds 6a and 7 exhibit an affinity towards the ...
