A solution of 2-iodo adenosine (1.00 g, 2.53 mmol), 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenylboronic acid (784 mg, 3.04 mmol), cesium carbonate (1.81 g, 6.08 mmol) and Pd(PPh3)4 (293 mg, 0.25 mmol) in toluene (2.4 mL) and ethanol (4.8 mL) was heated in a Biotage microwave (120° C., absorption high, pre-stirring 30 s) for 40 min in 2 batches and the crude reaction mixtures were combined. The solvents were then removed in vacuo and the residue dissolved in EtOAc (200 mL) and washed with sat. aq. NaHCO3 (100 mL) and brine (100 mL). Purification by flash column chromatography (normal phase, ICN silica, 50 g, 18-32μ, gradient 5-25% ethanol in DCM, residue dry loaded, product eluted in 25% ethanol) afforded (2R,3R,4S,5R)-2-{6-amino-2-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-9H-purin-9-yl}-5-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran-3,4-diol 11 as an off-white glass (364 mg, 30%).
