Biologically potent L-hexoses and 6-deoxy-L-hexoses: Their syntheses and applications

This account describes our recent work in the development of new methodologies to prepare rare and biologically potent L-hexoses and 6-deoxy-L-hexoses, from cheapest D-glucose, via L-hexofuranoses and 1,6-anhydro-beta-L-hexopyranoses as key building blocks. Their applications in the syntheses of heparin oligosaccharides, the carbohydrate moiety of bleomycin A(2), and L-acovenose are also summarized here.