Rapid synthesis of (±)-r-7-benzyloxymethyl-cyclopenta-cis-[4,5][1,3]-oxazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidinones versatile carbocyclic nucleoside precursors

(±)-r-7-Benzyloxymethyl-cyclopenta-cis-[4,5][1,3]-oxazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidinones were synthesized in two steps from 1-hydroxymethyl-3-cyclopentene. These compounds are versatile intermediates for the synthesis of carbocyclic nucleosides. The synthesis has been accomplished by the iodofunctionalization of olefins as a method of coupling the pyrimidine bases and the carbocycle.