A process for the preparation of compounds of formula wherein Ring A and Ring B are one of the following: Ring A is an optionally substituted unsaturated monocyclic heterocyclic ring, and Ring B is an optionally substituted unsaturated monocyclic heterocyclic ring, an optionally substituted unsaturated fused heterobicyclic ring, or an optionally substituted benzene ring; or Ring A is an optionally substituted benzene ring, and Ring B is an optionally substituted unsaturated monocyclic heterocyclic ring, or an optionally substituted unsaturated fused heterobicyclic ring wherein Y is linked to the heterocyclic ring of the fused heterobicyclic ring; or Ring A is an optionally substituted unsaturated fused heterobicyclic ring, wherein the sugar moiety X-(sugar) and the moiety -Y-(Ring B) are both on the same heterocyclic ring of the fused heterobicyclic ring, and Ring B is an optionally substituted unsaturated monocyclic heterocyclic ring, an optionally substituted unsaturated fused heterobicyclic ring, or an optionally substituted benzene ring; X is a carbon atom; Y is -(CH 2) n -; wherein n is 1 or 2; provided that in Ring A, X is part of an unsaturated bond; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof; comprising reacting a compound of formula wherein LG 1 is a leaving group, with a mixture of a zinc salt and an organo-lithium reagent; in a first hydrocarbon solvent; at a temperature in the range of from about -78°C to about room temperature; to yield a mixture of the corresponding compound of formula, wherein M 1 is lithium, and the zinc salt; admixing to the mixture of the compound of formula and the zinc salt a first ether solvent; to yield the corresponding compound of formula, wherein M 2 is a reactive zinc species; reacting the compound of formula, with a compound of formula (VIII), wherein each Z is an independently selected oxygen protecting group and wherein LG 2 is a leaving group; to yield the corresponding compound of formula; de-protecting the compound of formula; to yield the corresponding compound of formula. Ring A is an optionally substituted unsaturated monocyclic heterocyclic ring, and Ring B is an optionally substituted unsaturated monocyclic heterocyclic ring, an optionally substituted unsaturated fused heterobicyclic ring, or an optionally substituted benzene ring; or Ring A is an optionally substituted benzene ring, and Ring B is an optionally substituted unsaturated monocyclic heterocyclic ring, or an optionally substituted unsaturated fused heterobicyclic ring wherein Y is linked to the heterocyclic ring of the fused heterobicyclic ring; or Ring A is an optionally substituted unsaturated fused heterobicyclic ring, wherein the sugar moiety X-(sugar) and the moiety -Y-(Ring B) are both on the same heterocyclic ring of the fused heterobicyclic ring, and Ring B is an optionally substituted unsaturated monocyclic heterocyclic ring, an optionally substituted unsaturated fused heterobicyclic ring, or an optionally substituted benzene ring; X is a carbon atom; Y is -(CH 2) n -; wherein n is 1 or 2; provided that in Ring A, X is part of an unsaturated bond; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof; comprising X is a carbon atom; Y is -(CH 2) n -; wherein n is 1 or 2; provided that in Ring A, X is part of an unsaturated bond; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof; comprising