A new, convenient synthesis of the chiral auxiliary (+)-8-phenylisomenthol

A new, straitghtforward and efficient method for preparing (+)-8-phenylisomenthol 1 from its diastereomer (+)-8-phenylisoneomenthol 2 is described. Conversion of 2 to (+)-8-phenyl-2-menthene 5, followed by oxidation to the corresponding (+)-trans-epoxide 6 and reduction of 6 with LiBEt3H afforded 1 in 78% overall yield.