Alane, diethyl reaction with epoxides

The disilyl derivative of all-cix-1,2-epoxycyclopentane-3,5-diol 5 7 was treated with diethyloctynylalane to afford after cleavage of the silylether function the triol 58. This triol was convered via the acetonide to the benzyl ether 59. Hydrolysis with aqueous trifluoroacetic acid yielded the diol benzylether 60 which could be prepared by an alternative route as well. This route proceeds via the monotrityl epoxide 61 and benzylation to the trityl benzylether 62 and then reaction with diethyl octynyl alane to the diolbenzylether 60 and the isomeric 1,3-diol. 

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