| abstract |
A MULTI-STEP, STEREO-SPECIFIC SYNTHESIS OF 5-DESOXY-LARABINOSE FROM THE READILY AVAILABLE AND INEXPENSIVE STARTING MATERIALS D-GLUCOSE OR D-XYLOSE IS DISCLOSED. 5-DESOXYL-ARABINOSE IS A KNOWN BUILDING BLOCK FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF BIPTERIN, A NATURALLY OCCURING MATERIAL HAVING USES AS A GROWTH FACTOR, AND ANTIOXIDANT, AND AS A PRECURSOR FOR CO-FACTORS OF ENZYMES LEADING TO THE PRODUCTION OF VALUABLE AMINO ACIDS SUCH AS PHENYLALANINE, TRYPTOPHAN AND L-DOPA. L-DOPA IS A VALUABLE MEDICAMENT WHICH HAS RECENTLY BEEN LICENSED IN THIS COUNTRY FOR USE IN THE TREATMENT OF PARKINSON''S DISEASE. |