A short route to novel α-(2-aminothiazolyl)-C-nucleosides has been developed. The key step was the high diastereoselective reduction of the hemiacetal intermediates using L- Selectride, which afforded the corresponding R-diols in quantitative yields. These diols were converted, after C4–C1 ring closure and protecting groups cleavage, to their corresponding free α-C-nucleosides.
