Large-scale synthesis of racemic “Corey lactone”

Abstract

Very convenient synthesis of Corey lactone–(3aα,4α,5β,6aα)-5-(1,1'-biphenyl-4-carbonyloxy)-hexahydro-4-hydroxymethyl-2H-cyclopenta[b]furan-2-one (VI) was developed. The title compound was obtained in five steps starting from 7-anti-hydroxymethyl-5-exo-chloro-bicyclo[2.2.1]-heptan-2-one (I) in a very good overall yield.