Synthesis of racemic and optically active erythro- and threo-9-(2,3,4-trihydroxybutyl)adenines and related compounds

Reduction of diethyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-DL-tartrate ( II ) with lithium aluminium hydride afforded 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane- threo -4,5-dimethanol ( III ...