α-Selective ribofuranosylation of alcohols with ribofuranosyl iodides and triphenylphosphine oxide.

Ribofuranosylation of a variety of alcohols with ribofuranosyl iodides in the presence of a base and triphenylphosphine oxide afforded the corresponding α-ribofuranosides with diastereoselectivities ≥ 99:1. This reaction can be carried out under mildly basic conditions and is thus compatible with acid-sensitive functional groups.