A rapid efficient microwave-assisted synthesis of a 3′,5′-pentathymidine by copper(I)-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition

Starting from 5′-O-tosylthymidine, sequential azidation and Cu-catalyzed [3+2] azide–alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition led to the formation of a 3′,5′-pentathymidine in high yield. The whole process needed only work-up/precipitation steps and was completed within just 18 min, thanks to microwave activation.