Synthesis of l-lyxo-phytosphingosine and its 1-phosphonate analogue using a threitol acetal synthon.

The first synthesis of an isosteric phosphonate analogue of the aminotriol lipid phytosphingosine (3), together with an improved synthesis of (2S,3S,4S)-phytosphingosine (2), are described. A key intermediate is 3-pentylidene acetal 9, which was prepared in two steps from dimethyl 2,3-O-benzylidene-d-tartrate (7).