A straightforward approach for the synthesis of 2',3'-unsaturated nucl
eosides starting from 2-deoxyribose is described. This novel route inv
olves two new methods; (1) preparation of 2-deoxy-1-thioribofuranoside
by direct condensation of 2-deoxyribose and thiophenol, (2) formation
of the nucleoside skeleton by the direct coupling of 2,3-unsaturated
1-thiopentofuranoside with pyrimidine bases. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevi
er Science Ltd