A novel bifunctional allyldisilane as a triple allylation reagent in the stereoselective synthesis of trisubstituted tetrahydrofurans

Three for the price of two: A bifunctional allyldisilane undergoes a two-step triple allylation sequence with pairs of aldehydes to give all-cis trisubstituted tetrahydrofurans in excellent enantio- and diastereoselectivity (see scheme). The first allylation step, which sets up the key stereogenic centres, is catalysed by a chiral Lewis base.