Stereoselective Synthesis of the trans 2,4-Disubstituted Butyrolactone Moiety of Annonaceous Acetogenins

Abstract

The stereoselective preparation of the trans 2-alkyl-4-acetonylbutyrolactone moiety present in some bioactive mono or bis-tetrahydrofuran acetogenins has been carried out from glycidol tosylate using two consecutive alkylations. The formation of a methyl pyranoside from the intermediate mixture of epimeric cyano alcohols allows control of the relative 1,3-configurations before lactonization.