Short and Efficient Asymmetric Synthesis of (±)-epi-Cytoxazone from cis-(1R,2S,5R)-Menthyl 4-Methoxyphenylglycidates

The racemic epi-cytoxazone was synthesized, starting from p-anisaldehyde, in five steps and 48% overall yield. An efficient synthesis of azido alcohols has been achieved by regioselective ring opening of glycidates using NaN₃in MeOH–H₂O. The key step of the process is reductive cyclization of azide carbonates by Zn–TMSCl.