D-Gulonolactone as a synthon for L-noviose: first preparation of 4-O-demethyl-L-noviofuranose and related derivatives.

[reaction: see text] A new synthesis of L-noviose (11), a sugar moiety of novobiocin, is presented. D-Gulonolactone was initially converted in a few steps to the key ester derivative 7 [1-O-benzyl methyl 2,3-O-(1-methylethylidene)-alpha-L-lyxofuranosiduronate]. An appropriate selection of protecting groups enabled transformation of 7 under mild reaction conditions to 4-O-demethyl-L-noviofuranose 9a and related 9b-c. Derivatives 9 were further converted either to L-lyxopyranoses (10a and 10b) or to methyl L-lyxofuranoside 12.