A convenient preparation of 1,2,3-tri-O-acetyl-β-d-ribofuranose by enzymatic regioselective 5-O-deacetylation of the peracetylated ribofuranose

The lipase from Candida rugosa (Sigma) was used to catalyze the regioselective deacetylation at the 5-position of 1,2,3,5-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-ribofuranose on a preparative scale. Enzymatic deacetylation provides a convenient one-step preparation of 1,2,3-tri-O-acetyl-β-d-ribofuranose.