Stereoselective synthesis of 3-hydroxymethyl-D-cyclopentenone, the versatile intermediate for the synthesis of carbocyclic nucleosides.

The preparative and stereoselective synthesis (45- 50% overall yields, >50 g scale) of the key carbasugars 7a-d was achieved from D-ribose via stereoselective Grignard reaction and oxidative rearrangement as key reactions.