This paper describes a straightforward divergent synthesis of (+)-goniofufurone mimics (4, 5 and 6) starting from d-xylose. In a preliminary bioassay, analogues 4 and 5 exhibited a submicromolar antiproliferative activity towards HL-60 cells, while the corresponding parent compound 1 was completely inactive against this cell line. At the same time, these molecules showed approximately 10-fold stronger