Novel synthesis of L-ribose from D-mannono-1,4-lactone

[reaction: see text] D-Mannono-1,4-lactone was efficiently converted into L-ribose in eight steps. A key step of this synthesis is the cyclization of a gamma-hydroxyalkoxamate under Mitsunobu conditions. It is noteworthy that the O-alkylation product was obtained in 94% yield and that none of the N-alkylation product was detected in this cyclization.