Stereoselective synthesis of farnesylphosphoryl β-d-arabinofuranose

Decaprenylphosphoryl β-d-arabinofuranose (DPA) is a key arabinose donor in mycobacteria. In an effort to establish a practical synthetic scheme for DPA, the synthesis of nerylphosphoryl and farnesylphosphoryl β-d-arabinofuranoses has been developed. The products were obtained by coupling of a suitably protected β-d-arabinofuranosyl phosphate intermediate with activated forms of the C10 nerol and C15 trans,trans-farnesol and subsequent deprotection.