Stereoselective synthesis of 1'-C-branched arabinofuranosyl nucleosides via anomeric radicals generated by 1,2-acyloxy migration

Stereoselective C-C bond formation at the anomeric position of uracil and adenine nucleoside has been accomplished through reaction of the anomeric radical, generated by 1,2-acyloxy migration, with a radical acceptor. The present method consists of the following steps: (1) electrophilic addition (bromo-pivaloyloxylation) to 3',5'-O-(1,1,3,3-tetraisopropyldisiloxane-1,3-diyl)-protected 1',2'-unsaturated nucleoside, (2) tin radical-mediated reaction of the resulting adduct with a radical acceptor. The use of allyl(tributyl)tin gave the 1'-C-allylated uracil nucleoside 14 in 66% yield together with the unrearranged 2'-C-allylated product 15 (6%). Radical acceptors such as styryl(tributyl)tin and 3-bromo-2-methylacrylonitrile can also be used in the reaction of 5, giving 16 (70%) and 17 (76%) without the formation of unrearranged product. The radical-mediated C-C bond formation of the adenine counterpart 12 was also investigated.