Hydantocidin, a naturally occurring strong herbicide, was synthesized in an
overall yield of 35.2%, with the accompanying 1`-epi-hydantocidin in overa
ll 9.6% yield from 2,3-O-isopropylidene-D-ribono-1,4-lactone. C-2-thioxo-hy
dantocidin and its spiro-epimer were also synthesized in an overall yield o
f 14.4% and 8.5%, respectively. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r
eserved.