A new synthesis of cytotoxic (+)-7-epi-Goniofufurone

Cytotoxic styryl lactone, (+)-7-epi-Goniofufurone (1), has been prepared with a new route from 3-O-benzyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene- 5-C-phenyl-beta-L-ido-pentofuranose (6), a derivative of (+)-glucose. Treatment of 14 with HCl solution cleaved TBDMS and isopropylidene and simultaneously caused ring closure to afford 1 while treatment of 14 with Sc(OTf)(3) only removed TBDMS to give 15.