Kinetic resolution of 2-methoxycarbonylalk-3-enols through a stereoselective cyclofunctionalization promoted by an enantiomerically pure electrophilic selenium reagent

In this manuscript the kinetic resolution of 2-methoxycarbonylalk-3-enols is reported through a stereoselective selenocyclization promoted by an electrophilic sulfur-containing selenium reagent. Reacting one equivalent of the selenenenylating agent with two equivalents of racemic starting material afforded a mixture of a stereoselectively enriched tetrahydrofuran and the corresponding enantiomerically enriched alkenols. [GRAPHICS] .