Although tetrahydrofurans and tetrahydropyrans are important structural subunits of many classes of natural products,l comparatively few general synthetic methods are known? Since y- and &lactones are readily available: an efficient and versatile transformation to the ether would significantly extend current methodology. The conversion of a lactone to an ether has been accomplished by hydride reduction to a diol followed by cyclization by way of a monotosylate4 or other activated ester.5Reprinted (adapted) with permission from The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 46(11); 2414-2419. Doi: 10.1021/jo00324a050. Copyright 1981 American Chemical Society.</p
