Pd-Catalyzed Regio- and Stereoselective C-Nucleoside Synthesis from Unactivated Uracils and Pyranoid Glycals

Pd-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective C-nucleoside synthesis from pyranoid glycals and unactivated N,N-dialkyluracils is described. Depending upon the reaction conditions, either β-hydride or β-heteroatom eliminated C-nucleosides were obtained exclusively. Different glycals with various protecting groups reacted smoothly. Mechanistically, uracil first undergoes electrophilic palladation regioselectively at the C-5 position to generate the active organopalladium species, which then attacks the glycal in a regio- and stereoselective mode to generate C-nucleosides. The method obviates the use of heavy metals such as mercury or preactivation of protected uracils, making it an attractive strategy for C-nucleoside synthesis.