Stereocontrolled synthesis of (5+5), (5+6) and (6+6) 3-spiropseudonucleosides

3-Spiropseudonucleosides, in which the heterocyclic base is a five-membered (oxazolidine, imidazolidine, thiohydantoin) or six-membered (perhydrooxazine) heterocycle, have been prepared starting from a hexofuranos-3-ulose. The method leads to good yields and is completely stereoselective. The key intermediate is a sugar iso(thio)cyanate.