Furan synthesis from acyclic precursors

Several enzymatic procedures have been developed for the synthesis of carbohydrates from acyclic precursors. Aldolases appear to be useful catalysts for the construction of sugars through asymmeteric C-C bond formation. 2-deoxy-KDO, 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-KDO, 9-0-acetyl sialic acid and several unusual sugars were prepared by a combined chemical and enzymatic approach. Alcohol dehydrogenases and lipases have been used in the preparation of chiral furans, hydroxyaldehydes, and glycerol acetonide which are useful as building blocks in carbohydrate synthesis. 

Synthesis of Pyrroles, Furans and Thiophenes from Acyclic Precursors 529... 

Brenna E., Fuganti C., Serra S. and Dulio A. (1998) Synthesis of 2,3-dihydro-6-methylthieno[2,3-c]furan (Kahweo-furan), a coffee aroma component, from an acyclic precursor. J. Chem. Res., Synop. (2), 74—5. 

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