Patent ID: 6512107
Filing Date: 2003-01-28
Classification: C07H

Abstract:
A process for preparing 2â€²-fluoro-5-methyl-&bgr;-L-arabino-furanosyluridine (L-FMAU) of formula (1), from an L-arabinose of formula (5) where R is selected from the group consisting of a benzyl, aryl and aralkyl; comprising: a) epimerizing the C(2) hydroxy group from an arabinose configuration to a ribose configuration with high efficiency; b) converting the pyrano-ribose to a furano-ribose; c) substituting the C(2) hydroxyl of the furano-ribose with a fluorine; d) optionally protecting the C(3) and C(5) hydroxyl groups; e) coupling the 2-fluro-ribose with 5-methyl-uracil; and f) deprotecting the C(3) and C(5) hudroxyl groups, if necessary, to obtain the 2â€²-fluoro- 5-methyl-&bgr;-L-arabino-furanosyl-uradine of formula (1).