De Novo Asymmetric Synthesis of an α-6-Deoxyaltropyranoside as Well as its 2-/3-Deoxy and 2,3-Dideoxy Congeners

A highly divergent de novo asymmetric synthesis of benzyl α-6-deoxyaltropyranoside, benzyl α-ascarylopyranoside, benzyl α-amicetopyranoside, and benzyl α-digitoxopyranoside has been achieved via a common pyranone intermediate. The routes rely upon a palladium(0)-catalyzed glycosylation reaction and corresponding post-glycosylation transformations. The control of the absolute and relative stereochemical configuration came from a Noyori reduction of 2-acylfuran and subsequent diastereoselective introduction of other stereogenic centers.