A new approach to the synthesis of lysophosphatidylcholines and related derivatives

A new stereospecific synthesis of lysophosphatidylcholines is reported. The sequence relies on orthogonal protection of hydroxyl groups derived from glyceric acid, using fluorenylmethylcarbonate versus tetrahydropyranyl ether functions, that allow regiospecific introduction of substituents to obtain the target phospholipid compound.