Divergent total synthesis of o-ribo-phytosphingosine (1) and L-ribo-phytosphingosine (2) was achieved from readily available D-ribose via cross-metathesis reaction, Wittig reaction, and diastereoselective amination reaction of allylic ethers using chlorosulfonyl isocyanate (CSI) as the key steps. As results, reactions of anti-1,2-dibenzyl ethers 11 and 16 with chlorosulfonyl isocyanate afforded exclusively anti 1,2 -amino alcohols 12 and 17 with diastereoselectivity of 32:1 and 31:1 in 75% and 76% yields, respectively. These results could be explained by the neighboring group effect, leading to retention of stereochemistry. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.