A flexible synthesis of carbanucleosides and 5′-nor-1′-homo carbanucleosides from a common precursor

Enzymatic resolution of (±)-1-acetoxy-4-(nitromethyl)-2-cyclopentene () provides entry into a facile 10-step route to carbanucleosides and a practical 7-step procedure to 5′-nor-1′-homo carbanucleosides. These routes are illustrated for adenine derivatives but they are adaptable to any heterocyclic base.