The enantioselective synthesis of 2-azido-norfuranomycin (11) was accomplished from
a D-glucose-derived chiral synthon (4). The absolute configuration at C3 and C4 of
synthon 4 corresponds to that of the target molecule, confirming its utility in asymmetric
synthesis. Key steps include 1,2-acetonide hydrolysis, oxidative cleavage (NaIO₄),
reduction to a 2-azido-3-hydroxy olefin precursor, and ring-closing metathesis (RCM)
to form the 3′,4′-dihydrofuran core. The method provides 2-azido-norfuranomycin in
high yield and enantiopurity from readily available carbohydrate starting materials.
A similar attempt was undertaken to obtain 2-azido-furanomycin 12.