A New Synthetic Approach to Elvucitabine

A new synthetic approach to elvucitabine started from L-xylose via the reactions of 10 steps in an overall yield of 20% was developed. The key steps included trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate(TMSOTf)-mediated stereocontrolled β-glycosidation and exquisite choice of chloroacetyl group for the protection of hydroxyl groups as well as the corresponding deprotection under notably mild conditions. The structure of elvucitabine, in particular, the stereochemistry thereof, was unambiguously determined by comparison of the physical properties, such as ¹H NMR data and the specific rotation, of the synthesized sample with those reported.