Synthesis of enantiopure cyclitols from (±)-3-bromocyclohexene mediated by intramolecular oxyselenenylation employing (S,S)-hydrobenzoin and (S)-mandelic acid as chiral sources

Reaction of 3-bromocyclohexene with (S,S)-hydrobenzoin and (S)-mandelic acid and subsequent intramolecular oxyselenenylation of the resulting allylic ethers followed by oxidation–elimination afforded the valuable cis-fused bicyclic olefins, (1S,3S,4S,6R)-3,4-diphenylbicyclo[4,4,0]-2,5-dioxa-7-decene and (1S,3S,4R)-3-phenyl-4a,7,8,8a-tetrahydro-benzo[1,4]dioxan-2-one, respectively. Further stereoselective transformation of these cis-fused bicyclic olefins afforded the enantiopure cyclohexitols, muco-quercitol, d-chiro-inocitol and allo-inocitol.