Crystal structure of (5R)-5-[(1S)-1,2-dihydroxyethyl]-4-methoxy-3-phenyl-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-one

In the title compound, C13H14O5, the furan ring is essentially planar [maximum deviation = 0.031 (3) angstrom] with a stereogenic center (R) at the sp(3) hybridized C atom. The C atom bearing the dihydroxy ethyl group is S. The absolute configuration is based on the precursor in the synthesis. The two O-H groups are in an anti conformation with respect to each other. The mean plane of the furanone group is twisted by 8.2 (4)degrees from that of the phenyl ring. In the crystal, molecules are linked by O-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds involving furanone C=O groups and symmetry-related hydroxy groups, forming a two-dimensional network parallel to (001). Weak C-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds are observed within the two-dimensional network.