A Ferrier-type allylic rearrangement of 3'-deoxy-3',4'-didehydronucleosides mediated by DMF dimethyl acetal: direct access to 4'-alkoxy-2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxynucleosides.

A straightforward synthesis of epimeric 4'-alkoxy-substituted 2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxynucleosides via a DMF dimethyl acetal mediated allylic rearrangement of 3'-deoxy-3',4'-didehydronucleosides is described.