Synthesis of 3-deoxy-3,3-difluoro-d-ribohexose from gem-difluorohomoallyl alcohol

A novel synthetic route to 3-deoxy-3,3-difluoro-d-ribohexose 1 has been developed. Dihydroxidation of gem-difluorohomoallyl alcohol followed by several steps of protection and deprotection gave key intermediate 9. Oxidation of 1,5-diol 9 with 2 equiv. trichloroisocyanuric acid and catalytic TEMPO gave lactone 10. Reduction of 10 with DIBAL-H followed by deprotections afforded the target molecule 1.