Facile preparation of a highly functionalized tetrahydropyran by catalytic hydrogenation of an oxazoline.

2-Amino-1,5-anhydro-2-deoxy-D-glucitol, a highly functionalized tetrahydropyran, is a versatile building unit in many natural products. A facile route to this type of synthetic building unit from the corresponding 2-aminopyranoses, as exemplified by an application to D-glucosamine, is outlined. A simple catalytic hydrogenation at C-1 of an oxazoline constructed from the corresponding 2-aminopyranose results in the desired product.