Efficient synthesis of 2-deoxy-l-erythro-pentose (2-deoxy-l-ribose) from l-arabinose Original Research Article

An efficient and practical route for the large-scale synthesis of 2-deoxy-l-erythro-pentose (2-deoxy-l-ribose) starting from l-arabinose was developed using Barton-type free-radical deoxygenation reaction as a key step. The radical precursor, a phenoxythiocarbonyl ester, was prepared in situ, and the most efficient deoxygenation was achieved by slow addition of tributyltin hydride to the reaction mixture.