Studies in the sphingolipids series,XXXII : Synthesis and resolution into optical antipodes of C20-phytosphingosine

C₂₀-Phytosphingosine, D(+)-ribo-2-amino-1, 3, 4-trihydroxyeicosane (8a), is synthesized through the following intermediates: 2-Methoxyoctadecanoic acid chloride (1)→Ethyl 2-methoxyoctadecanoylacetoacetate (2)→Ethyl (2-p-nitrophenylhydrazono)-2,3-dioxo-4-methoxyeicosanoate (3)→Ethyl 2-acetamido-3-oxo-4-methoxyeicosanoate (4)→Ethyl 2-acetamido-3-hydroxy-4-methoxyeicosanoate (5)→2-Acetamido-3-hydroxy-4-methoxyeicosanoic acid (6), 2-Amino-3-hydroxyeicosanoic acid 1,4-lactone hydrobromide (7a, b)→DL-ribo (8a) and DL-xylo(?)-2-amino-1,3,4-trihydroxyeicosane (8b). The resolution of the racemic base (8a) has been effected through its salts with D-tartaric acid.