Cyclization of a chiral α‐(δ′‐benzyloxyalkyl)acrylate to a novel tetrahydrofuran derivative

Abstract
Methyl 3‐hydroxy‐2‐(iodomethyl)‐5‐methyltetrahydrofuran‐2‐carboxylate (4) is synthesized from (3S)‐3‐(benzyloxy)butanal (2) via methyl 5‐(benzyloxy)‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐methylenehexanoate (3a) as intermediate.