An asymmetric approach to 2-deoxynucleosides via organosulfur building blocks as chemical chameleons.

An asymmetric synthesis of 6-N-benzoyl-5'-O-benzyl-2'-deoxyadenosine and its a anomer from non-carbohydrate building blocks is achieved in 7 steps. The sequence builds the basic structures using bis(methylthio)methane and methylthiomethyl phenyl sulfone as both nucleophilic and electrophilic building blocks, a feature that suggests their behavior as chemical chameleons. The asymmetric induction is achieved utilizing a kinetic resolution based upon catalytic asymmetric epoxidation.