Abstract: This application relates to efficient methods for the synthesis of ascarylose and its derivatives. A method for the production of ascarylose includes: providing, as a feedstock, a 1-O-substituted rhamnose; forming a mono-sulfonate ester at the 3-OH group of the 1-O-substituted rhamnose; and treating the mono-sulfonate ester with a hydride source to form a 1-O-substituted ascarylose. Forming the mono-sulfonate ester can advantageously be conducted on a 1-O-substituted rhamnose without hydroxyl protecting groups at either the 2-OH or 4-OH-positions.

Abstract: This application relates to efficient methods for the synthesis of ascarylose and its derivatives. A method for the production of ascarylose includes: providing, as a feedstock, a 1-O-substituted rhamnose; forming a mono-sulfonate ester at the 3—OH group of the 1-O-substituted rhamnose; and treating the mono-sulfonate ester with a hydride source to form a 1-O-substituted ascarylose. Forming the mono-sulfonate ester can advantageously be conducted on a 1-O-substituted rhamnose without hydroxyl protecting groups at either the 2—OH or 4—OH—positions.