Synthesis of stereospecifically labeled 3,6-dideoxyhexoses

Preparations of ascarylose (3,6-dideoxy-L-arabino-hexose), abequose (3,6-dideoxy-D-xylo-hexose), and paratose (3,6-dideoxy-D-ribo-hexose) with stereospecific deuterium labeling at C-3 are discussed. The methods used to synthesize these sugars, such as the hydrogenation of olefins, the displacement of halides, the reduction of epoxides, and the substitution of tosyl esters, illustrate a variety of strategies leading to stereospecific deuterium incorporation. Many of the techniques described here should be of general utility for the synthesis of other deuterium-labeled sugars.