A compound of Formula I are provided: wherein R is: R1 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group; W1-4 are independently selected from hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted haloalkyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted alkanoyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted aroyl groups, or substituted or unsubstituted haloalkanoyl groups; X1-5 are independently selected from H, NO2, N3, and NH2; Y is absent or is a substituted or unsubstituted C1-alkyl group, other than carbonyl; Z is selected from a bond or NH, provided that when Z is a bond, Y is absent, and provided that when Z is NH, Y is a substituted or unsubstituted C1-alkyl group, other than carbonyl. Also provided are D-arabinitol compounds, methods for preparing such compounds and compositions of such compounds, and methods of using such compounds.