Synthesis of asymmetrically-substituted cyclopentane derivatives from acyclic sugars

Abstract

Diels–Alder addition of cyclopentadiene and trans-α,β-unsaturated sugar derivatives proceeds with high steric control to afford crystalline, optically pure norbornene derivatives that may be transformed into tetra-C-substituted cyclopentane derivatives of defined stereochemistry at all four centres; the products are of interest in synthesis of prostaglandin analogues.