SmI2-induced reductive cyclization of (E)- and (Z)-β-alkoxyvinyl sulfones with aldehyde

SmI2-induced reductive cyclization of (E)- and (Z)-β-alkoxyvinyl sulfones with aldehyde stereoselectively afforded 2,6-syn-2,3-trans- and 2,6-syn-2,3-cis-tetrahydropyrans, respectively. The product having a sulfonylmethyl group was converted to a cyclic ether having a methyl group by reduction with Raney-Ni.