Synthesis of 2′,3′-dideoxy-6′-fluorocarbocyclic nucleosides via Reformatskii–Claisen rearrangement

2′,3′-Dideoxy-6′-fluorocarbocyclic nucleosides, analogues of highly bioactive carbovir and abacavir were synthesized. The notable steps were the incorporation of fluoromethylene group by way of silicon-induced Reformatskii–Claisen rearrangement of allyl bromofluoroacetate, the construction of the carbocyclic ring via ring-closing metathesis (RCM) and the introduction of base by Mitsunobu reaction.