C-daunosaminyl derivatives by the wittig reaction

C -Glycosylation of a 2-deoxypyranose has been achieved for the first time by conversion of 4- O-p -nitrobenzoyl- N -trifluoroacetyldaunosamine in a Wittig reaction into the corresponding derivative of ethyl 2-(daunosaminyl)acetate. The product was predominantly (54%) in the desired α- l configuration (separated from the β- l anomer, 15%) required for further elaboration of C -daunosaminyl derivatives. Conversion into the corresponding derivatives of 2-(α- l -daunosaminyl)acetaldehyde and 2-(α- l -daunosaminyl)ethanol was also achieved.