Efficient access to polysubstituted tetrahydrofurans by electrophilic cyclization of vinylsilyl alcohols

Vinylsilyl alcohols undergo intramolecular cyclization to provide di-, tri- or tetrasubstituted-tetrahydrofurans. The influence of the number and position of substituents in the stereoselectivity of the process has been studied. Moreover, DFT calculations have been performed to get better insight into the influence of the substitution pattern of the vinylsilyl alcohol in the stereoselectivity of the cyclization.