The synthesis of a selectively protected 3-deoxy-D-arabino-2-heptuloso
nic acid, 9, from a noncarbohydrate precursor was achieved in six step
s (19% yield) from a chiral, gamma,delta-epoxy beta-hydroxy ester, 3a,
readily available from the corresponding alpha,beta-epoxy aldehyde. T
he product was obtained through a Lewis acid-mediated stereocontrolled
lactonization of 3a followed by a two-step procedure: synthesis of We
inreb's amide 5a and lithiothiazole nucleophilic attack allowing the i
ntroduction of the masked aldehydo frame.