Stereoselective synthesis of (+)-goniothalesdiol

Stereoselective synthesis of antitumor tetrahydrofuran (+)-goniothalesdiol was achieved in high overall yield from (−)-D-tartaric acid. Key features include an FeCl3 mediated THF formation with very high selectivity. Synthesis of natural gonithalesdiol and its analogue 2,5-bis-epi-goniothalesdiol was achieved from a common intermediate