Rapid syntheses of either enantiomer of important carbocyclic nucleoside precursors

The syntheses of both enantiomers of aminocyclopentanetriol 1, a versatile carbocyclic nucleoside precursor, is reported utilizing an amino acid-derived acylnitroso Diels-Alder cycloaddition. The sequence is practical and proceeds in an overall yield of 36% from the D-alanine-derived hydroxamic acid. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.