Stereospecificity in the Au-catalysed cyclisation of monoallylic diols. Synthesis of (+)-isoaltholactone

Abstract

We describe a concise synthesis of (+)-isoaltholactonevia a Au-catalysed cyclisation of a monoallylic diol to form the tetrahydrofuranyl ring. Analogous cyclisations show that the stereochemical outcome is dictated by the stereochemistry of the diol substrate.