A novel Prins-alkynylation reaction for the synthesis of 4-phenacyl tetrahydropyrans

Aldehyde, homoallylic alcohol, and alkyne undergo smooth Prins-type cyclization in the presence of BF3·OEt2/CuCl (10 mol % each) in dichloromethane under mild reaction conditions to afford 4-phenacyl tetrahydropyran derivatives in good yields. This method is highly stereoselective, affording cis-tetrahydropyrans exclusively. The salient features of this method are high conversions, mild reaction conditions, short reaction times, high selectivity, and operational simplicity.