Systematic synthesis of bis-THF ringcores, synthetic intermediates of adjacent bis-THF annonaceousacetogenins, has been achieved by asymmetric alkynylation and subsequent stereodivergent THF ring formation. The asymmetric alkynylation of alpha-tetrahydrofuranic aldehyde with (S)-3-butyne-1,2-diol derivatives gave good yields of erythro- and threo-adducts with very high diastereoselectivity. These
Eight diastereoisomers of the bistetrahydrofuranringcores of annonaceousacetogenins have been synthesized by asymmetric alkynylation of alpha-tetrahydrofuranic aldehydes and stereodivergent one-pot tetrahydrofuran (THF) ring formation. In all cases, the asymmetric alkynylation proceeded with very high diastereoselectivity to give eight kinds of optically pure THF cores. We also describe a comparison