A short and stereoselective synthesis of 2-hydroxymethyl-4- deoxypentenomycin and 2-hydoxymethylpentenomycin derivatives is accomplished in five and seven steps starting from tetrabromonorbornyl derivatives in overall yields of 41% and 38%, respectively. A short and stereoselective synthesis of 2-hydroxymethyl-4-deoxypentenomycin and 2-hydoxymethylpentenomycin derivatives is accomplished in five and seven steps starting from tetrabromonorbornyl derivatives in overall yields of 41% and 38%, respectively. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.