Novel Route to 4-Thiofuranosides. Synthesis of Methyl 4-Thio-α-D-Talofuranoside

Abstract
Treatment with triiodoimidazole and triphenylphosphine of 2, 3, 5, 6-tetra-O-benzyl-D-mannose diethyl dithioacetal, obtained in three standard reaction steps from methyl α-D-mannofuranoside. gave ring closure to ethyl 2, 3, 5, 6-tetra-O-benzyl-1, 4-dithio-α-D-talo-furanoside, with sulfur in the furanose ring.