Enantiomers of 2-tetrahydrofuran derivatives, intermediates therefor and their preparation.

摘要

The compound of formula I and its enantiomer with the (S) configuration can be prepared by appropriate substitution, protection and/or deprotection from the compound of formula II which itself can be prepared by enantiospecific monohydrolysis of 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran dibutyrate. They have unusual pharmacological activity: the compound of formula I has activity in treating multiple sclerosis and its enantiomer in treating tumors. The compound of formula II and its protected forms are useful intermediates for preparing further optically pure pharmacologically active compounds having an asymmetrically substituted carbon atom adjacent to the oxygen atom in a tetrahydrofuran ring.