Titanocene(III) chloride mediated radical induced addition-elimination route to the synthesis of racemic and optically active trisubstituted tetrahydrofurans: Formal synthesis of magnofargesin and 7′-epimagnofargesin

Titanocene(III) Chloride mediated radical induced synthesis of 4-benzylidene substituted tetrahydrofuran, a typical lignan skeleton, has been accomplished in good yield through addition-elimination route in racemic as well as in optically active forms. The method has been applied to the synthesis of furano lignans, magnofargesin (1) and 7′-epimagnofargesin (2) in optically active forms.