The synthetic methods of 2-deoxy-L-ribose were reviewed as follows: (1) reductive deoxygenation of pentose, (2) degradative deoxygenation of hexose, (3) diastereoselective addition of α,β-unsaturated lactone, (4) stereoselective condensation of small molecules, and (5) asymmetric epoxidation. The mechanism of reductive deoxygenation of pentose and the modified procedure were discussed in detail.

Key words: 2-deoxy-L-ribose, degradative deoxygenation, asymmetric epoxida-tion, stereoselection, synthesis