A protected form of (1S,2R,3S,4R)-4-aminocyclopentane-1,2,3-triol, a useful precursor to 5′-nor carbocyclic nucleosides

5'-Nor carbocyclic nucleosides have been found to possess a variety of meaningful biological properties. One of the building blocks for this class of compounds is (1S,2R,3S,4R)-4-aminocyclopentane-1,2,3-triol. To date, the reported routes to this compound are not particularly facile. Thus, a convenient route to this triol in its protected isopropylidene form (2) from (+)-(1R,4S)-4-hydroxy-2-cyclopenten-1-yl acetate. This will facilitate the preparation of new 5'-nor carbocyclic nucleosides in the "D-ribo-like" configuration. This method is also adaptable to the "L-like" series and the 2'- and 3'-deoxy analogs.