Synthetic studies directed toward the pseurotins. Part II. Synthesis of related highly functionalized furan-3(2H)-ones

The synthesis of 2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl)‐4‐methyl‐5‐phenylfuran‐3(2H)‐one (9), 5‐[(1S,2S,Z)‐1,2‐(ethylidenedioxy)hex‐3‐enyl]‐2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl)‐4‐methylfuran‐3(2H)‐one (24), and 5‐[(1S,2S,Z)‐1,2‐(ethylidenedioxy)hex‐3‐enyl]‐2‐(hydroxymethyl)‐4‐methylfuran‐3(2H)‐one (28), which represent more advanced, suitably functionalized intermediates for the synthesis of pseurotin A (1), a secondary metabolite of Pseudeurotium ovalis STOLK, is described.