Cyclic phosphonomethylphosphinates: a new type of phosphorus-containing sugars

The first synthesis of arabino-configured cyclic phosphonomethylphosphinates is described. The key step is the condensation of the triethylester of H-phosphinylphosphonate 10 on an hydroxyaldehyde 11 derived from a d-arabinal derivative followed by a cyclization induced under acetylation conditions.