Regenerative γ‑Lactone Annulations: A Modular, Iterative Approach to Oligo-tetrahydrofuran Molecular Stairs and Related Frameworks

A unified, stereocontrolled, regenerative γ-butyrolactone annulation approach has been conceptualized and validated through syntheses of a range of oligo-THFs. The new protocol is short (four steps), simple (table-top reagents), and efficient (50–61% overall yields). Although the scope of this approach is unlimited, it has been demonstrated up to five iterations on commercial γ-butyrolactone to assemble six fused tetrahydrofuran moieties in a staircase-like architecture. A selection of exploratory transformations is presented to exemplify the potential applications of this protocol.