Synthesis of D-D4FC, a biologically active nucleoside via an unprecedented palladium mediated Ferrier rearrangement-type glycosidation with an aromatization prone xylo-furanoid glycal

D-D4FC (1) is an anti-HIV agent currently under phase II clinical trial (Pharmaset Inc). Its molecular architecture is suitable for a Ferrier rearrangement kind of operation on a furanoid glycal to fix the position of the double bond and the relative stereochemistry. Despite the fact that classical Ferrier rearrangement does not work on furanoid glycals, a palladium mediated modified protocol has been developed for the glycosidation of an aromatization prone xylo-furanoid glycal (5) for the synthesis of D-D4FC.