Chemical investigations in the synthesis of O-serinyl aminoribosides

Glycosylation involving d-ribose derivatives and various N-protected tert-butyl l-serinates can be achieved efficiently by careful choice of the activation method at the anomeric position and of the Lewis acid promoter. The conditions described allow the major formation of the β-anomer required for further elaboration to liposidomycin and caprazamycin analogues.