A convenient synthesis of 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol 4-phosphate and isotopomers of its precursor

A new synthetic approach toward 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP), a key intermediate in the mevalonate-independent biosynthetic pathway for isoprenoids, and deuterated analogues of its precursor, 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol acetonide, is described. This procedure uses 2-C-methyl-d-erythrose acetonide as starting material and delivers, through a mono-protection strategy, the target compounds in a short way and in high yield.