Stereoselective synthesis of antitumor tetrahydrofuran
(+)-goniothalesdiol was achieved in high overall yield from
(−)-d-tartaric acid. Key features include an FeCl3 mediated
THF formation with very high selectivity. Synthesis of
natural gonithalesdiol and its analogue 2,5-bis-epi-goniothalesdiol was achieved from a common intermediate