Synthesis of oseltamivir and tamiphosphor from N-acetyl-D-glucosamine.

Using N-acetyl-D-glucosamine as a starting material, the anti-influenza drugs oseltamivir and tamiphosphor were synthesized via a pivotal intermediate of aldehyde 8. An intramolecular Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction was utilized to construct the highly functionalized cyclohexene ring. The existing N-acetyl group was transformed into an azido group for the subsequent aziridination, followed by implantation of a 3-pentoxy group of the desired stereochemistry.