Stereoselectivity Williamson synthesis

A much more elaborate synthesis of 4-aryl-2-(benzyloxy)carbonyl-3-hydroxy tetrahydrofurans 88 from aryl epoxides requires the use of benzyl diazoacetate. This methodology can now be extended to a highly stereoselective synthesis of chiral tetrahydrofurans starting from optically active epoxides. The mechanism is believed to involve a Williamson-type cyclization as illustrated below <00TL8059>. 

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