Synthesis of Three 3-C-Hydroxymethylpentoses with the D-ribo-, D-xylo- and L-lyxo- Configurations.

Periodate cleavage of the isomeric C-acetoxymethyl furanoses (Ia) (known) or (Ib) followed by reduction and acetylation yields the ribofuranose (IIa) or xylofuranose (IIb), resp., from which the title compounds (IIIa) and (IIIb) with D-ribo or D-xylo-configuration are obtained.