Synthesis of (L)-daunosamine and related amino sugars

Abstract
1-(2-Furyl)ethanol (6) has been converted into methyl (±)-daunosaminide (1) and methyl (±)-ristosaminide (3) by use of an intramolecular cyclisation of a trichloroacetimidate group. (±)-Daunosamine (1) has been obtained more directly from the alcohol (10) by use of a modified Mitsunobu reaction; the scope of the latter reaction has been explored using cyclohex-2-en-1-ol as a model substrate. Asymmetric reduction of 2-acetylfuran (5) has given (S)-1-(2-furyl)ethanol (46) in good enantiomeric excess, thus providing a short route to the L-enantiomers of the amino sugars (1), (2), and (3) from a cheap, non-carbohydrate precursor.