Synthesis and Kinase Phosphorylation of 4-Deoxy-<scp>D</scp>-threohexulose

Synthesis of the only unknown deoxyfructose, 4-deoxy-D-threohexulose, is reported. Its preparation involved reductive lithium aluminum hydride ring opening of 3,4-anhydro-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene- D-talitol, followed by hydrolysis of the resulting epimeric deoxy diisopropylidene hexitols and selective Acetobacter suboxydans oxidation of 3-deoxy-D-arabinohexitol. Kinetic studies using 4-deoxy-D-threohexulose as substrate for yeast hexokinase support the premise that the C-4 hydroxyl is a binding group in formation of the enzyme–substrate complex. Enzymatic synthesis of 4-deoxy-D-threohexulose 6-phosphate and 4-deoxy-D-threohexulose 1,6-diphosphate has been achieved in low yield from 4-deoxy-D-threohexulose.