A new convenient route to enantiopure 2-coumarinyloxypropanals: application to the synthesis of optically active geiparvarin analogues

A new convenient route to enantiopure 2-coumarinyloxypropanals is described: Rosenmund reduction of (R)- or (S)-2-coumarinyloxypropanoyl chlorides afforded in good yields the corresponding 2-coumarinyloxypropanals. Their subsequent aldolic condensation with 3(2H)-furanones, followed by dehydration, led to enantiopure geiparvarin analogues now being investigated as promising antitumoral compounds.