Stereoselective synthesis of aryl 1,2-cis-furanosides and its application to the synthesis of the carbohydrate portion of antibiotic hygromycin A

•A approach to the construction of aryl 1,2-cis-furanosidic bonds is developed.•Aryl 1,2-cis-furanosides are synthesized using Quin-substituted thiofuranosides.•The method is demonstrated by preparation of the sugar portion of hygromycin A.