Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation of 5-aryl-2-vinylfurans: application to the synthesis of the spiroketal moiety of papulacandin D.

[formula: see text] Using the Sharpless catalytic asymmetric dihydroxylation reaction on 5-aryl-2-vinylfurans, diols are produced in high enantioexcess. The resulting diols can be efficiently transformed into the spiroketal ring precursor of the antifungal compound papulacandin D. Stereoselective reduction of this precursor followed by a diastereoselective dihydroxylation completes the synthesis of a mannopyranoside isomer of a papulacandin derivative.