The trimethylsilyl triflate promoted addition of 2-trimethylsilyloxyfuran to (3S,4S)-3,4-dihydro- 3,4-di(t-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-2H-pyrrole 1-oxide, derived from (R,R)-tartaric acid, displays complete facial selectivity, affording two diastereomeric butenolides in excellent overall yield. The major adduct undergoes silica-gel induced ring-closure to give in almost quantitative yield [4S(4 alpha,5 beta,5a beta,5b alpha,8a alpha)]-hexahydro-4,5-di(t-butyldiphenylsilyoxy)-pyrrolo [1,2-b]furo[2,3d] isoxazol-7(3H)one; reduction with DIBAH followed by hydrogenolysis on Pd(OH)(2)/C affords the partially protected 1,2,7,8-indolizidinetetrol. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.