Stereospecific synthesis of eight- and nine-membered cyclic ethers by Eu(fod)3-mediated cyclization of hydroxy epoxides

Abstract

An efficient and versatile method for the stereospecific construction of α,ω-cis- and α,ω-trans-disubstituted eight- and nine-membered cyclic ethers was developed. Cyclization of the hydroxy epoxides promoted by Eu(fod)3 proceeded via an SN2 process and exo mode to provide the corresponding cyclic ethers in excellent yields. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.