Synthesis of (2R,3S)‐1,2,3‐Butanetriol Derivatives From (R)‐2,3‐O‐Isopropylideneglyceraldehyde and of the (2S,3R)‐Enantiomers From D ‐Glucose. Application to the Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Muscarine

Both enantiomers of the O‐protected epoxy alcohol derivative 1b have been prepared from (R)‐2,3‐O‐isopropylideneglyceraldehyde and D‐glucose, respectively, and utilized in a practical synthesis of L‐ and D‐muscarine iodide and chloride.