A rapid synthesis of sphingosine from phytosphingosine.

A simple and efficient protocol for the synthesis of a sphingosine starting from cost-effective phytosphingosine has been described. Two alternative synthetic pathway have been disclosed based on the use of two different kinds of protective groups for the protection of the amino group in the phytosphingosine. The protected phytosphingosine was subsequently transformed into sphingosine in 5 steps i.e. protection of the amine group, protection of 1,3-diol, leaving group insertion, elimination, and one-pot deprotection.