Synthesis of 2,6-trans-disubstituted 5,6-dihydropyrans from (Z)-1,5-syn-endiols

Certain (Z)-1,5-syn-diols 2 may be converted into 2,6-trans-5,6-dihydropyrans by using phosphonium salt 4 or phosphorane 5 as dehydrating agents. A more general four step procedure converts the (Z)-1,5-syn-endiols into enantiomeric dihydropyrans ent-3 via regioselective silylation of the allylic alcohol unit followed by mesylate formation and base-promoted nucleophilic displacement.