A novel route to β-thymidine

Abstract

A stereoselective synthesis of β-thymidine using 2-deoxy-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl-trichloroacetimidate as the activating group is reported. This five-step route includes only one chromatographic purification with an overall yield of 30% in β-thymidine and stereoselectivity of approximately 80%.