2-Keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate (KDPG) aldolase is a key enzyme in the Entner– Doudoroff pathway of bacteria. It catalyzes the reversible production of KDPG from pyruvate and d-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate through a class I Schiff base mechanism. On the basis of aldolase mechanistic pathway, various pyruvate analogues bearing β-diketo structures were designed and synthesized as potential inhibitors. Their capacity to inhibit aldolase ...