with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-α-d-glucopyranos-1-yl H-phosphonate to form the protected target molecule 12. Deprotection of 12 by acidic deacetalisation/desilylation and subsequent catalytic hydrogenolysis resulted in cleavage of the anomeric phosphodiester to produce 1. Debenzylation with sodium in liquidammonia followed by acidic deacetalisation/desilylation gave the target compound 2a.