Abstract A new method to introduce a benzyl group onto the 2′-OH of purine ribonucleoside is described. Thus, 6-chloropurine 3′-O-benzoylriboside and its 5′-O-trityl congener were condensed with benzyl alcohol using the Mitsunobu reaction to give the 2′- O-benzyl derivative. The yields were varied from 4.6 to 62.9% depending on the solvent used. The product was converted to adenosine, indicating that the stereochemistry at C-2 ...
