Stereoselective synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted tetrahydropyrans using an intramolecular allylation strategy

A highly stereoselective route to 2,4,5-trisubstituted tetrahydropyrans is reported. The key step employs an intramolecular allylation of a (Z)-allylsilane onto an aldehyde under Bronsted acid activation. Complete 1,4-stereoinduction accounts for the formation of only two out of the possible four THP products. The level of 1,3-stereoinduction is optimal when the reaction is carried out in an apolar solvent, which is in accord with electrostatics being key to controlling this aspect of the stereoselectivity.