Stereoselective synthesis of safingol and its natural stereoisomer from d-glycals

Efficient and convenient syntheses of (2S,3S)-safingol and its natural (2S,3R)-isomer have been developed from 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl glycals. The key step is the one-pot reduction of an azide, saturation of the double bonds and debenzylation under catalytic hydrogenation.