An enantioselective synthesis of functionalized cyclopentanes has
been used to access carbocyclic
nucleoside analogs. This pathway allows access to carbocyclic
C- or carbocyclic N-nucleosides from
a common intermediate, ester 16. Additionally,
(1R,2R,3S,4R)-4-amino-2,3-dihydroxy-1-cyclopentanemethanol (18), an intermediate in the total synthesis of
aristeromycin, has been prepared as
a single enantiomer in eight isolated steps from cyclopentadiene.
Progress toward the synthesis
of novel carbocyclic C-nucleosides is also
discussed.