Diastereocontrol by trialkylaluminums in the synthesis of tetrahydrofurans via radical cyclization.

[reaction: see text]. The influence of various Lewis acids in the radical cyclization of beta-allyloxyalkyl phenyl selenides was investigated. Whereas the unperturbed cyclization afforded trans-2,4-disubstituted tetrahydrofurans as the major products (cis/trans approximately 1/4.5), cyclization in the presence of trialkylaluminums (3 equiv) afforded predominantly (cis/trans approximately 7/1) the corresponding cis-isomers.