The sterochemical outcome of the addition of chiral titanium enolates to gamma-lactols derived from (S)-glutamic acid were examined. When 5-substituted gamma-lactols were treated with chiral titanium enolates of N-acetyl-, N-propionyl-, N-bromoacetyl- and N-phenylacetyl oxazolidin-2-ones, only two diastereoisomers were obtained, revealing complete facial control by the chiral titanium enolate while the oxocarbenium ion facial discrimination was dependent on the nature of the enolate R³ substituent. After desilylation with aqueous HF/CH3CN, LiBH4 reduction allowed the efficient preparation of the corresponding trans-2,5-disubstituted tetrahydrofuran diols and recovery of the chiral auxiliary.
oxocarbenium ions; chiral titanium enolates; trans-2,5-disubstituted tetrahydrofurans
