Abstract: | A new approach to the total, asymmetric synthesis of D -threo-L -talo-octose ((?)- 1 ) and its derivatives is presented. It is based on the chemoselective Wittig-Horner monoolefination of a 5-deoxy-D -ribo-hexodialdose derivative 4 obtained by selective reduction of (?)-5-deoxy-2.3-O-isopropylidene-/β-D -ribo-hexofuranurono-6,1-lactone ((?)- 3 ). Allylic bromination of the resulting methyl (E)-oct-6-enofuranuronate (+)- 5 followed by intramolecular nucleophilic displacement of the so-obtained bromides gave a 13.3:1 mixture of (?)-methyl (E)-l,4-anhydro-6,7-dideoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-β-L -talo-oct-6-enopyranuronate ((?)- 8 ) and methyl (E)-l,4-anhydro-6,7-dideoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-α-D -allo-oct-6-enopyranuronate ( 9 ). The double hydroxylation of the enoate (?)- 8 followed Kishi's rule and gave the corresponding D -threo-β-L -talo-octopyranuronate derivative (?)- 11 with a good diastereoselectivity. Reduction of ester (?)- 11 and deprotection led to pure (?)- 1 . |