Intramolecular-Prins-cyclization: a novel synthesis of hexahydro-2H-furo[3,2-c]pyran derivatives

p-Toluenesulfonic acid is found to catalyze the coupling of (Z)-hex-3-ene-1,6-diol with a series of aldehydes by means of intramolecular-Prins-cyclization to provide the corresponding hexahydro-2H-furo[3,2-c]pyran derivatives in good yields with complete cis-selectivity, whereas the coupling of (E)-hex-3-ene-1,6-diol with aliphatic aldehydes gave trans-fused bicyclic furopyrans.