Synthesis of higher-carbon sugars via vinyltin derivatives of simple monosaccharides

6-O-Benzyl-7,8-dideoxy-1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-l-glycero-α-d-galacto-oct-7-ynopyranose reacted with tributyltin hydride to afford (Z-6-O-benzyl-7,8-dideoxy-1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-8-(tributylstannyl)-l-glycero-α-d-galacto-oct-7-enopyranose, which was subsequently isomerized to the E-olefin 4. Replacement of the tributyltin moietey with lithium in 4 afforded the vinyl anion which reacted with 3-O-benzyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-d-xylo-pentodialdo-1,4-furanose, furnishing 3-O-benzyl-6-C-[(E)-6-O-benzyl-7-deoxy-1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-l-glycero-α-d-galacto-heptopyranos-7-ylidene] -60-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-d-gluco- (6) and -β-l-ido-furanose (7) in yields of ∼70 or ∼87% (depending on the temperature of the reaction). The configurations of the new chiral centers in 6 and 7 were determined by their conversion into 3-O-benzyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-d-gluco- and -β-l-ido-furanose, respectively. Oxidation of 6 and 7 gave the same enone, 3-O-benzyl-6-C-[(E)-6-O-benzyl-7-deoxy-1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-l-glycero-α-d-galacto- heoptopyranos-7-ylidene]-6-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-d-xylo-hexofuranos-5-ulose.     

Synthesis of 1,2,4-tri-O-acetyl-5-deoxy-3-O-methyl-5-C-[(R)- and -(S)-phenylphosphinyl]-β-d-ribopyranose

5-Deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-5-C-(methoxyphenylphosphinyl)-3-O-methyl-α-d-ribofuranose (4) was prepared from 1,2-O-isopropylidene-3-O-methyl-α-d-ribo-pentodialdo-1,4-furanose by an addition reaction with methyl phenylphosphinate, followed by deoxygenation of the terminal HOCHP group of the adduct by successive reaction with 1,1′-thiocarbonyldiimidazole and tributyltin hydride. Treatment of 4 with sodium dihydrobis(2-methoxyethoxy)aluminate, followed by deacetonation with mineral acid, and acetylation with acetic anhydride—pyridine, gave mainly the two title compounds, which were isolated by column chromatography on silica gel, and characterized by 90-MHz, ¹H-n.m.r.-spectral analysis.     

4-deoxy-4-fluoro-1,2-O-isopropylidene-β-D-xylo-hexulopyranose

A 5-stage synthesis of the title compound (11), the first example of a secondary deoxyfluoroketose, is described. The synthesis comprised the following reaction sequence: D-fructose→1,2:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-β-D-fructopyranose (4)→1,2:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-3-O-tosyl-β-D-fructopyranose (3)→ 3,4-anhydro-1,2-O-isopropylidene-β-D-ribo-hexulopyranose (9)→4-deoxy-fluoro-1,2-O-isopropylidene-β-D-xylo-hexulopyranose (11). Fluoride displacement at C-4 in 9 was effected with tetrabutyl-ammonium fluoride in methyl cyanide. Similar treatment of either 3 or 1,2:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-3-O-tosyl-β-D-ribo-hexulopyranose (5) failed to yield a fluoro derivative. Compound 5 was prepared by the sequence 4→1,2:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-β-D-erythro-hexo-2,3-diulopyranose (6)→1,2:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-β-D-ribo-hexulopyranose (7)→5.     

The cyclization of 3-O-benzyl-6-deoxy-6-nitro-D-glucose and -L-idose to O-benzyldeoxynitroinositols,and epimerizations related thereto

3-O-Benzyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-D-xylo-pentodialdo-1,4-furanose (1) was found to give, with nitromethane under catalysis by sodium methoxide, 3-O-benzyl-6-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-6-nitro- α-D-glucofuranose (2) as the kinetically favored product. Subsequent, spontaneous epimerization led to a 2:1 mixture of 2 and its β-L-ido isomer (3), from which crystalline 3 was isolated. The free nitro hexoses (4 and 5) obtained by deacetonation of 2 and 3 were subjected to barium hydroxide-catalyzed cyclization (internal Henry reaction) to give mixtures of O-benzyldeoxynitroinositols. Under conditions of kinetic control, the α-D-gluco derivative 4 furnished 6-O-benzyl-3-deoxy-3-nitro-muco-inositol (6) and optically active 4-O-benzyl-1-deoxy-1-nitro-L-myo-inositol (L-7) in a ratio of 3:1. The β-L-ido derivative 5 gave the enantiomer (D-7) of the myo compound and 4-O-benzyl-1-deoxy-1-nitro-scyllo-inositol (8) in a similar ratio. Slow, thermodynamically controlled epimerization led from each individual nitro inositol to mixtures of the same composition, with 17–18% of 6, 68–69% of DL-7, and 11–12% of 8. All of the nitroinositol benzyl ethers were isolated crystalline and characterized further as crystalline tetraacetates (6a–8a). The muco isomer 6 gave a di-O-isopropylidene derivative (6b).     

An approach to the synthesis of branched-chain amino sugars from c-methylene sugars

The reaction of 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-3-C-methylene-α-D-ribo-hexofuranose (4) with mercuric azide in hot 50% aqueous tetrahydrofuran yielded, after reductive demercuration, 3-azido-3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-3-C-methyl-α-D-glucofuranose (5). Partial, acid hydrolysis of5 afforded the diol7, which gave 3-azido-3-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-5,6-di-O-methanesulphonyl-3-C-methyl-α-D-glucofuranose (8) on sulphonylation. On hydrogenation over a platinum catalyst and N-acetylation, the dimethanesulphonate 8 furnished 3,6-acetylepimino-3,6-dideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-5-O-methanesulphonyl-3-C-methyl-α-D-glucofuranose (9), which was also prepared by an analogous sequence of reactions on 3-azido-3-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-5-O-methanesulphonyl-3-C-methyl-6-O-toluene-p-sulphonyl-α-D-glucofuranose (13). The formation of the N-acetylepimine 9 establishes the D-gluco configuration for 5.1,2-O-Isopropylidene-3-C-methylene-α-D-ribo-hexofuranose (20) reacted with mercuric azide in aqueous tetrahydrofuran at ≈85° to give 3,6-anhydro-1,2-O-isopropylidene-3-C-methyl-α-D-glucofuranose (22) as a result of intramolecular participation by the C-6 hydroxyl group in the initial intermediate.     

Synthèse et propriétés physicochimiques de 5,6-didésoxy-6-halogéno-hept-5-éno-1,4-furanurononitriles

The four 5,6-dideoxy-6-halogeno-1,2-O-isopropylidene-3-O-methyl-α-d-xylo-hept-5-eno-1,4-furanurononitriles (bromo, chloro, fluoro, and iodo) were prepared by treatment of 1,2-O-isopropylidene-3-O-methyl-α-d-pentodialdo-1,4-furanose with the corresponding (cyanohalogenomethylene)triphenylphosphorane. The geometrical isomers were separated by liquid chromatography. Spectral data of the four nitriles and of corresponding enurononitriles were used for identification of configuration and conformation.     

Routes to higher-carbon sugar derivatives having keto-acetylenic and -alkenic,and α,β-unsaturated aldehyde functionality

Oxidative dimerization of 7,8-dideoxy-1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-d-glycero-α-d-galacto-oct-7-ynopyranoside (1) gave a high yield of the diyne 2, readily reduced by lithium aluminum hydride to the trans,trans-diene (4). The structures of 2 and 4 were established spectroscopically and by degradation of 4 to d-glycero-d-galacto-heptitol (perscitol). A mixture of the alkyne 1 and its 7-epimer 10 was readily oxidized by dimethyl sulfoxide-acetic anhydride to the 6-ketone 11, and the 8-alkene analog was similarly prepared from the alkenes derived from 1 and 10. Likewise, oxidation of 6,7-dideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-d-gluco(and β-L-ido)-hept-6-enopyranose gave the corresponding 5-ketone. The acetylenic ketone 11 gave a crystalline oxime and (2,4-dinitrophenyl)hydrazone, the latter being accompanied by the product of attack of the reagent at the acetylene terminus (C-8). Previous work had shown that formyl-methylenetriphenylphosphorane did not convert 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-6-aldehydo-α-d-galacto-hexodialdo-1,5-pyranose into the corresponding C₈ unsaturated aldehyde, although the latter was obtainable via1 and 10 by an ethynylation-hydroboration sequence. The Wittig route with formylmethylenetriphenylphosphorane is shown to be satisfactory for obtaining C₇ unsaturated aldehydes from 3-O-benzyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-5-aldehydo-α-d-xylo-pentodialdo-1,4-furanose (22) and the 3-epimer of 22, respectively. These reactions provide convenient access to higher-carbon sugars and chiral dienes for synthesis of optically pure products of cyclo-addition reactions.     

Dr. Horace S. Isbell

Addition of ethyl isocyanoacetate in strongly basic medium to the glycosuloses 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-ribo-hexofuranos-3-ulose (1) and 1,2-O-isopropylidene-5-O-trityl-d-erythro-pentos-3-ulose (2) gave the unsaturated derivatives (E)- and (Z)-3-deoxy-3-C-ethoxycarbonyl(formylamino)methylene-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranose (3 and 4), and (E)-3-deoxy-3-C-ethoxycarbonyl(formylamino)methylene-1,2-O-isopropylidene-5-O-trityl-α-d-ribofuranose (5). In weakly basic medium, ethyl isocyanoacetate and 1 gave 3-C-ethoxycarbonyl(formylamino)methyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-allofuranose (12) in good yield. The oxidation of 3 and 4 with osmium tetraoxide to 3-C-ethoxalyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranose (17), and its subsequent reduction to 3-C-(R)-1′,2′-dihydroxyethyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranose (18) and its (S) epimer (19) and to 3-C-(R)-ethoxycarbonyl(hydroxy)methyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranose (21) and its (S) epimer (22) are described. Hydride reductions of 12 yielded the corresponding 3-C-(1-formylamino-2-hydroxyethyl), 3-C-(2-hydroxy-1-methylaminoethyl), and 3-C-(R)-ethoxycarbonyl(methylamino)methyl derivatives (13, 14 and 16). Catalytic reduction of 3 and 4 yielded the 3-deoxy-3-C-(R)-ethoxycarbonyl-(formylamino)methyl derivative 6 and its 3-C-(S) epimer. Further reduction of 6 gave 3-deoxy-3-C-(R)-(1-formylamino-2-hydroxyethyl)-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-allofuranose (23) which was deformylated with hydrazine acetate to 3-C-(R)-(1-amino-2-hydroxyethyl)-3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-allofuranose (24). The configurations of the branched-chains in 16, 21, and 22 were determined by o.r.d.     

Nucleosides LXXXIII. Synthetic studies on nucleoside antibiotics. 11. Synthesis of methyl 4-amino-3,4-dideoxy-β-D-ribo-hexopyranoside and -hexopyranosiduronic acid (derivatives related to the carbohydrate moiety of gougerotin)

Methyl 4-amino-3,4-dideoxy-β-D-ribo-hexopyranoside (17) and its uronic acid (19) were synthesized via a series of reactions starting from 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-3-O-tosyl-α-D-glucofuranose. A method suitable for the large scale preparation of 3,4-dideoxy- 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-erythro-hex-3-enofuranose(2) was devised.     

Synthesis of acetylenic sugars and uronic acids via two-carbon chain extension of d-ribose

Treatment of methyl β-d-ribofuranoside with acetone gave methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-β-d-ribofuranoside (1, 90%), whereas methyl α-d-ribofuranoside gave a mixture (30%) of 1 and methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-α-d-ribofuranoside (1a). On oxidation, 1 gave methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-β-d-ribo-pentodialdo-1,4-furanoside (2), whereas no similar product was obtained on oxidation of 1a. Ethynylmagnesium bromide reacted with 2 in dry tetrahydrofuran to give a 1:1 mixture (95%) of methyl 6,7-dideoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-β-d-allo- (3) and -α-l-talo-hept-6-ynofuranoside (4). Ozonolysis of 3 and 4 in dichloromethane gave the corresponding d-allo- and l-talo-uronic acids, characterized as their methyl esters (5 and 6) and 5-O-formyl methyl esters (5a and 6a). Ozonolysis in methanol gave a mixture of the free uronic acid and the methyl ester, and only a small proportion of the 5-O-formyl methyl ester. Malonic acid reacted with 2 to give methyl 5,6-dideoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-β-d-ribo-trans-hept-5-enofuranosiduronic acid (7).     

The synthesis of 5-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl)-β-D-glucofuranose

Condensation of dimeric 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-nitroso-α-D-glucopyranosyl chloride (1) with 1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranurono-6,3-lactone (2) gave 1,2-O-isopropylidene-5-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-hydroxyimino-α-D-arabino-hexopyranosyl)-α-D-glucofuranurono-6,3-lactone (3). Benzoylation of the hydroxyimino group with benzoyl cyanide in acetonitrile gave 1,2-O-isopropylidene-5-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-benzoyloxyimino-2-deoxy-α-D-arabino-hexopyranosyl)-α-D-glucofuranurono-6,3-lactone (4). Compound 4 was reduced with borane in tetrahydrofuran, yielding 5-O-(2-amino-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl)-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose (5), which was isolated as the crystalline N-acetyl derivative (6). After removal of the isopropylidene acetal, the pure, crystalline title compound (10) was obtained.     

Reaktionen der glucuronsäure : 7. Mitt. Oxidationen an d-glucofuranosidurono-6,3-lactonen

Methyl α-D- (1) and methyl β-D-glucofuranosidurono-6,3-lactone (5) were oxidized at C-2 or C-5, 1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-D- (10) and 1,2-O-cyclohexylidene-α-D-glucofuranurono-6,3-lactone (11) at C-5 by various methods to the corresponding D-arabino- or D-xylo-hexulofuranosiduronolactones. In contrast to the starting materials 5, 10, and 11, the 5-uloses 15, 17, and 18 do not exhibit reducing power in alkaline Cu²⁺ solutions. Methyl 5-O-benzyl-α-D- and methyl 5-O-benzyl-β-D-arabino-2-hexulofuranosidurono-6,3-lactone reduce Benedict solution at room temperature.     

Photochemical conversion of sugar dimethylthio-carbamates into deoxy sugars

Protected sugar derivatives having one free hydroxyl group may be deoxygenated at the alcoholic position by ultraviolet irradiation of the corresponding dimethylthiocarbamic esters: a concomitant process leads also to the original alcohol. Thus, on photolysis, the 6-dimethylthiocarbamate (1) or 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactopyranose (3) gives 6-deoxy- 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactopyranose (2) together with 3. Likewise, the 4-dimethylthiocarbamate (6) of 1,6-anhydro-2.3-O-isopropylidene-β-D-mannopyranose (8) gives a mixture of the 4-deoxy derivative 7 and the alcohol 8. 3-Deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-ribo-hexofuranose (10) was obtained by irradiation of 3-O-(dimethylthiocarbamoyl)-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose (9), and was accompanied by 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose (11). The 3-deoxy-3-iodo analog (14) of 11 underwent conversion into 10 by photolysis, and the deoxy sugar 10 was also prepared from 3,3'-dithiobis(1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D--glucofuranose) (12) by the action of Raney nickel. Photolysis of the 2-dimethylthiocarbamate (16) of methyl 3,4-O-isopropylidene-β-L-arabinopyranoside (18) gave the 2-deoxy derivative (17), together with the parent alcohol 18, and the same pair of products was obtained by the action of tributylstannane on the 2-(methylthio)thiocarbonyl derivative (19) of 18, although the dimethylthiocarbamate 16 was unreactive toward tributylstannane.     

Glycosyl α-amino acids : Part III. Synthesis of D- and L-2-(1,2:5,6-DI-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactofuranos-3-YL)glycine

Stereospecific hydroxylation of (E)-3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-3-C-(methoxycarbonylmethylene)-α-D-xylo-hexofuranose (2) with potassium permanganate in pyridine afforded pure 3-C-[(R)-hydroxy(methoxycarbonyl)methyl]-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactofuranose (5) in 55% yield. Mesylation of the diol 5 in pyridine yielded the monomethanesulfonate 6 and, in addition, a small proportion of an unsaturated, exocyclic sulfonate 7. Treatment of 6 with sodium azide in N-N-dimethylformamide and reduction of the resultant α-azido ester 9 afforded methyl D- (and L-) 2-(1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactofuranos-3-yl)glycinate, (11a) and (10a), respectively. Basic hydrolysis of 11a and 10a yielded D- and L-2-(1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactofuranos-3-yl)glycine (11b) and (10b), respectively. The structures of the glycosyl α-amino acids were correlated with that of L-alanine by circular dichroism.     

Synthesis of 3-amino-2,3,6-trideoxy-ll-lyxo-hexose (daunosamine) hydrochloride from d-glucose

Three different approaches starting from 1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranose were tested for the synthesis of daunosamine hydrochloride (24), the sugar constituent of the antitumor antibiotics daunomycin and adriamycin. The third route, affording 24 in ~5% overall yield in 11 steps, constitutes a useful, preparative synthesis, 3,5,6-Tri-O-benzoyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranose was converted via methyl 2,3-anhydro-β-d-mannofuranoside into methyl 2,3:5,6-dianhydro-α-l-gulofuranoside, the terminal oxirane ring of which was split selectively on reduction with borohydride, to afford methyl 2,3-anhydro-6-deoxy-α-l-gulofuranoside (31). Compound 31 was converted into methyl 2,3-anhydro-5-O-benzyl-6-deoxy-α-l-gulofuranoside, which was selectively reduced at C-2 on treatment with lithium aluminum hydride, affording methyl 5-O-benzyl-2,6-dideoxy-α-l-xylo-hexofuranoside. Subsequent mesylation, and replacement of the mesoloxy group by azide, with inversion, afforded methyl 3-azido-5-O-benzyl-2,6-dideoxy-α-l-lyxo-hexofuranoside, which could be converted into either 24 or methyl 3-acetamido-5-O-acetyl-2,3,6-trideoxy-α-l-lyxo-hexofuranoside, which can be used as a starting material for the synthesis of daunomycin analogs.     

Branched-chain amino sugars. stereospecific synthesis of 3-C-(2-acetamidoethyl)-3-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-β-l-lyxofuranose

Condensation of 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-xylo-hexofuranos-3-ulose (1) with diethyl cyanomethylphosphonate afforded a mixture of the cis- and trans-3-cyanomethylene-3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-xylo-hexofuranoses (2) in 80% yield. Catalytic reduction of 2 yielded 3-C-cyanomethyl-3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-gulofuranose (4) exclusively. Palladium and hydrogen was found to rearrange the exocyclic double bond of 2 to give the 3,4-ene (3). Catalytic reduction of 3 also proceeded stereospecifically to yield 4. Selective hydrolysis of 4 yielded the diol 5, which was cleaved with periodate and the product reduced with sodium borohydride to afford crystalline 3-C-cyanomethyl-3-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-β-l-lyxofuranose (6) in 87% yield. Catalytic reduction of the latter with hydrogen and platinum in the presence of acetic anhydride and ethanol gave the crystalline l-amino sugar, 3-C-(2-acetamidoethyl)-3-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-β-l-lyxofuranose (7) in 92% yield.     

Isopropylidene acetals of 5-Thiopentopyranoses

Both 5-thio-D-ribose and 5-thio-D-xylose react with acetone and 2,2-dimethoxypropane, respectively, in the presence of acids to give 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-5-thio-α-D-ribo- and -xylo-pyranoses (9 and 8); no furanoid products were detected. Partial hydrolysis of the xylo-diacetal 8 gave 1,2-O-isopropylidene-5-thio-α-D-xylopyranose, but a monoacetal could not be obtained from the ribo-diacetal 9. The methyl 5-thio-D-ribopyranosides (12) also react with acetone, giving only the 3,4-acetal from the α anomer 12a, and a separable mixture of 2,3- and 3,4-acetals from the β anomer 12b.     

Branched-chain glycosyl α-amino acids : Part II. Synthesis of 2-D- and 2-L-(3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranos-3-yl)glycine. Analogs of the sugar moiety of the polyoxins

Stereospecific hydroxylation of 3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-3-C-trans-and 3-C-cis-(methoxycarbonylmethylene)-α-D-ribo-hexofuranose (2 and 3, respectively), with potassium permanganate in pyridine afforded 3-C-[S- and R-hydroxy-(methoxycarbonyl)methyl]-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose, (6 and 7, respectively), in a combined yield, after chromatography, of 43%. Selective formation of monomethanesulfonates (9a and 10a) and p-toluenesulfonates (9b and 10b), followed by treatment with sodium azide and reduction of the azide, afforded the methyl 2-D-(and 2-L-)(3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranos-3-yl)-glycinates (12a and 13a, respectively). Basic hydrolysis of the latter compounds yielded 2-D- and 2-L-(3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranos-3-yl)glycine (12b and 13b, respectively). The structures of the glycosyl amino acids were correlated with that of L-alanine by circular dichroism.     

Synthesis of gem-di-C-substituted derivatives of carbohydrates by way of nucleophilic-addition reactions of aldohexofuranoid 3-C-methylene derivatives

Nucleophilic Michael-type additions to aldohexofuranoid 3-C-methylene derivatives, namely, 3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-3-C-nitromethylene-α-d-ribo-hexofuranose and 3-C-[cyano(ethoxycarbonyl)methylene]-3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-ribo-hexofuranose employing phase-transfer catalysis, afforded novel gem-di-C-substituted sugars. The conversion of 3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-3-C-methyl-3-C-nitromethyl-α-d-allo-hexofuranose into a 3-C-hydroxymethyl-3-C-methyl derivative with titanium trichloride, and that of the nitromethyl groups of 3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-3,3-di-C-nitromethyl-α-d-ribo-hexofuranose, and 3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-3-C-methyl-3-C-nitromethyl- and -3-C-nitromethyl-α-d-allo-hexofuranose into cyano groups with phosphorus trichloride in pyridine is also described.     

The preparation of 6-deoxy-3-O-methyl-6-nitro-D-altrose

The title compound(9) a new nitro sugar and potential starting-point for the synthesis of hitherto unknown stereoisomers in the deoxynitroinositol series, was prepared by a sequence of high-yielding reactions. Methyl 2.3-anhydro-4.6-O- benzylidene-α-D-mannopyranoside was converted into methyl 3-O-methyl-α-D-altropyranoside(3) by the action of sodium methoxide followed by debenzylidenation esssentially according to established procedures. Acetolysis of3 and subsequent Zemple´n transesterification gave syrupy 3-O-methyl-D-altrose, from which the furanoid 1,2:5.6-di-O-isopropylidene and 1,2-O-isopropylidene(7) derivatives were prepared by standard acetonation and partial Hydrolysis Periodate oxidation of 7, and addition of nitromethane to the product. furnished crystalline 6-deoxy-1.2-O-isopropylidene-3-O-methyl-6-nitro-β-D-altrofuranose(8) as the chief epimer. Deacetonation of8 by trifluoroacetic acid9 in crystalline form.