A General and Enantioselective Approach to Pentoses: A Rapid Synthesis of PSI-6130, the Nucleoside Core of Sofosbuvir

An efficient route towards biologically relevant pentose derivatives is described. The de novo synthetic strategy features an enantioselective α-oxidation reaction enabled by a chiral amine in conjunction with copper­(II) catalysis. A subsequent Mukaiyama aldol coupling allows for the incorporation of a wide array of modular two-carbon fragments. Lactone intermediates accessed via this route provide a useful platform for elaboration, as demonstrated by the preparation of a variety of C-nucleosides and fluorinated pentoses. Finally, this work has facilitated expedient syntheses of pharmaceutically active compounds currently in clinical use.