Synthesis of 4′-benzoyloxycordycepin from adenosine

With an aim to synthesize 4′-substituted cordycepins, the 4′-benzoyloxy precursor (9) was prepared from adenosine through an electrophilic addition (iodo-benzoyloxylation) to the 4′,5′-unsaturated derivative (5) and subsequent radical-mediated removal of the 3′-iodine atom of the resulting adducts (6). Usefulness of 9 was briefly verified by synthesizing the 4′-allyl (12) and 4′-cyano (13) analogues of cordycepin.