Synthesis of epigoitrin from (R)-(+)-4-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone

Epigoitrin is one of the major components of several natural species, including Isatis indigotica Fort, turnip, and cabbage. It presents antithyroid and antivirus activities. Here, we report an efficient and practical method for the chemical synthesis of epigoitrin from commercially available (R)-(+)-4-hydroxy-gamma-butyrolactone.