Abstract
The biochemically important deoxysugar 1-deoxy-D-xylulose was synthesized by improved methods. D-Tartaric acid is the starting material for a synthesis which proceeds via the intermediacy of 2,3,4-tribenzyl-D-threitol. Another, highly efficient route used the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation of 5-benzyloxy-3-penten-2-one as its key step. These syntheses are especially useful for isotopic labeling.
Several syntheses suitable for the isotopic labeling of 1-deoxy-D-xyluose are described.