Stereocontrolled construction of tetrasubstituted tetrahydrofurans: synthesis of 2,5-anhydro d-glucitol

A highly stereoselective construction of 2,3,4,5-tetrasubstituted tetrahydrofurans has been accomplished by an unusual intramolecular 5-endo-tet cyclization of 2,3-epoxy alcohols involving hydroxyl nucleophile. The method has been utilized for the synthesis of 2,5-anhydro d-glucitol through two different approaches starting from the chiral molecule, l(+)-diethyl tartarate or from the non-chiral compound, allyl bromide or cis-but-2-ene-1,4-diol. This synthetic method is a useful example of 5-endo-tet cyclization of 2,3-epoxy alcohols.