Abstract

Benzyl 4-cyano-4-deoxy-α-D-arabinoside was converted into both its2,3-di-O-acetyl and 2,3-di-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)derivatives. The latter, by a process of hydrogenolysis, oxidation, and methanolysis, gave methyl2,3-di-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-4-cyano-4-deoxy-D-arabinonate. Reductionof this methyl ester with borane dimethyl sulfide gave, after deprotection, isofagomine lactam.