Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for synthesis of optically pure 4-alkenyl or 4-alkanyl-2-hydroxytetronic acids from an optically pure aldehyde. The invention further relates to the use of such optically pure compounds as potent inhibitors of platelet aggregation by working at the level of cyclooxygenase. The invention further relates to the pharmaceutical use of such compounds in the treatment of coronary artery diseases, especially in the treatment and/or prevention of atherosclerosis.

Description:
This Application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/201,775, filed Feb. 25, 1994; now U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,721, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 07/847,295, filed Mar. 6, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,298,526; which is a division of U.S. Ser. No. 07/464,511, filed Jan. 12, 1990, and now U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,126. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to methods for the synthesis of optically pure 4-alkenyl- or 4-alkanyl-2-hydroxytetronic acid aci-reductone compounds. 
     The aci-reductone 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxytetronic acid compound (CHTA) of the formula ##STR1## possesses antilipidemic and antiaggregatory properties which differ from those of the classical phenoxyacetic acids as has been disclosed in Witiak et el. J. Med. Chem., 1988, 31:1437-1445 and Kamanna et el., Lipids, 1989, 24: 25-32. Although unsubstituted-, 2-alkanyl- and 2-acyltetronic acids are frequently found in nature, the 2-hydroxy substituted redox system is found only in vitamin C and its closely related relatives (isoascorbic acid, erythroascorbic acid) and derivatives, and the macrolide antibiotic chlorothricin. 
     The antiaggregatory activities of 2-hydroxytetronic acid aci-reductone compounds such as CHTA are of interest since blood platelets are involved in the genesis of atherosclerosis. 2-Hydroxytetronic acid aci-reductones inhibit cyclooxygenase (CO)-induced human platelet aggregation and secretion of   14  C!-serotonin in a concentration-dependent manner at equivalent doses, as reported in Witiak et al., J. Med. Chem., 1982, 25:90-93. The CHTA compound inhibits platelet function by both enzyme inhibitory and ROS scavenging mechanisms resulting ultimately in the blockage of thromboxane A 2  synthesis. Redox analogues, such as 2-hydroxytetronic acid, may function as antioxidants in membranes and interfere with free radical processes involved in the biosynthetic elaboration of cyclic prostaglandin endoperoxides (PGG 2  and PGH 2 ), and, subsequently, thromboxane A 2  from arachidonic acid. 
     aci-Reductones, such as CHTA, possess numerous biological properties and have potentially many therapeutic applications. They exhibit antilipidemic and antithrombotic activities and increase the effectiveness of IL-2 promoted lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell activity in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) . 
     aci-Reductones inhibit CO-dependent AA-induced platelet aggregation. See Witiak et al., J. Med. Chem., 1982, 25:90-93; Witiak et al., 1988, J. Med. Chem., 31:1437-1445 and Witiak et al., J. Med. Chem., 1986, 29:2170-2174. A positive linear free energy relationship is observed between enzyme inhibition and calculated hydrophobicity (π) parameters. Thus, 4-biphenyl and 4-(4&#39;-chlorobiphenyl)-2-hydroxytetronic acids possess an estimated `π` of 1.96 and 2.67 and inhibit AA-induced platelet aggregation with IC 50  s of 135 and 44 μM, respectively. 
     4-Aryl-2-hydroxytetronic acids potentiate IL-2-induced LAK activity. This activity is related in part to CO inhibition. Highly tumoricidal lymphocytes induced by IL-2 have therapeutic potential in the treatment of cancers for which conventional antineoplastic therapy is not useful. The by-products of IL-2 activation, PGE 2  and reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide anion radical, abrogate LAK activity. aci-Reductones such as 4-aryl-, 4-alkanyl- and 4,4-spiroalkanyl-2-hydroxytetronic acids inhibit CO and the production of PGE 2  as well as scavenge ROS, thus improving IL-2-induced LAK activity. In standard 4-hour  51  Cr release assays, the improvement in LAK activity observed is comparable to the combined synergy obtained using the CO inhibitor indomethacin and ROS scavenging enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. See, Triozzi et al., Int. J. Immunopharmac., 1993, 15:47-54 and Witiak et al., Am. Canc. Res. Mtg., 1993, Florida. Thus, aci-reductones may be useful in potentiating IL-2 cancer therapy. 
     aci-Reductones are also antilipidemic and lower total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL, and LDL in cholesterol/cholic acid-fed rats. These compounds have been found to decrease apoB in VLDL in vivo and inhibit copper-catalyzed LDL oxidation in vitro. See, Witiak et al., J. Med. Chem., 1982, 25:90-93, (1982); Witiak et al., Actual. Chem. Ther., 1988, 15:41-62 (1988) and Witiak et al., J. Med. Chem., 1988, 31:1437-1445. 
     Free-radicals play a significant role in UV-, drug- and xenobiotic-induced toxicities and activate molecular oxygen to superoxide and other ROS including hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical. Defense mechanisms, including enzymes such as SOD and catalase and radical scavengers such as glutathione, retinoic acid and ascorbic acid protect proteins and nucleic acids from free-radical toxicities by quenching ROS. Inadequate protection from ROS results in myocardial ischemia, photosensitivity, radiation sensitization, red cell hemolysis and atherosclerosis. 4-Aryl-2-hydroxytetronic acids have been found to possess antioxidant efficiencies similar to probucol and α-tocopherol. See Witiak et al., &#34;Trends in Medicinal Chemistry&#34;, pp. 243-256, Blackwell Scientific Publications: Oxford, 1990. 
     Syntheses for 2-hydroxytetronic acids other than ascorbic acid have been reviewed by Haynes and Plimmer in &#34;Tetronic Acids,&#34; Quart. Rev., 1960, 292-315, and by Shank, &#34;Reductones,&#34; Synthesis, 1972, 176-190. 2-Hydroxytetronic acids have generally been prepared using three different routes: (1) hydroxyl group insertion at the 2 position of the corresponding tetronic acid nucleus; (2) intramolecular Claisen cyclization of substituted glyoxylate esters; and (3) base-promoted cyclization of 2,4-dihydroxy-3-ketobutanoates. 
     Witiak and Tehim, J. Org. Chem., 1987, 52:2324-2327 synthesized the 5- and 6-membered spiro 2-hydroxytetronic acids using propargyl alcohol conversion to methyl spirotetronates by treatment with sodium methoxide. Attempted hydroxylation at the 2-position by α-lithiation and reaction with dibenzoylperoxide provided only a 6% yield of the corresponding 2-benzoyloxytetronic acid. However, the 2-hydroxyl group was introduced in good yields by lithiation using lithium diisopropylamide (LDA), boronate ester formation  B(MeO) 3  ! and oxidative hydrolysis (AcOH, H 2  O 2 ). Methyl 2-hydroxytetronate was converted to the corresponding aci-reductone by stirring in 48% HBr at 45° C. for 12 hours. Ireland and Thompson, J. Org. Chem., 1979, 44:3041-3052, utilized the Claisen condensation for construction of 2-hydroxytetronic acids. 
     Witiak and Tehim, J. Org. Chem., 1987, 52:2324-2327 prepared 5- and 6-membered spiro-2-hydroxytetronic acids using strategies developed by Ireland and Thompson, supra. This method was superior to use of hydroxyl group insertion methods because fewer steps were necessary and overall yields were higher. For example, intramolecular Claisen cyclization of easily prepared methoxy or benzyloxy thiocarboxylate intermediates using LDA or lithium hexamethyldisilazide (LiHMDA) at -78° C. occurred in high yields. The resultant 2-methoxytetronic acids underwent deprotection by acetylation and subsequent reaction with BBr 3 , whereas the 2-benzyloxytetronic acids were convertible to target 2-hydroxytetronic acids by transfer hydrogenation. 
     Witiak and Tehim, J. Org. Chem., 1990, 55:1112-1114 developed the first synthesis for optically pure (S)-(+)-4-phenyl-2-hydroxytetronic acid using the Claisen cyclization under kinetically controlled conditions. The 2-benzyloxymethoxyacetate derivative of the corresponding methyl mandelate underwent such cyclization at -100° C. using the sterically hindered non-nucleophilic base, lithium dicyclohexylamide (LiDCyA). Subsequent benzyl group deprotection of the tetronic acid generated the desired compound in low overall yields; 12% for both steps. 
     Parent application Ser. Nos. 07/464,511 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,126) and 07/847,295 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,298,520) relate to the preparation of optically pure stereogenically labile 4-substituted-2-hydroxytetronic acid compounds. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to optically pure 4-alkenyl- or 4-alkanyl-2-hydroxytetronic acids and processes for their preparation. The chiral approach of the present invention utilizes a Claisen condensation of optically pure methyl 2-alkanyl or 2-alkenyl-substituted 2- (2-allyloxy)acetyloxy!acetate to generate 4-alkanyl or 4-alkenyl substituted 2-allyloxytetronic acids. Deprotection provides target aci-reductones. 
     The invention is further related to the methods of using such optically pure compounds as potent inhibitors of platelet aggregation, and pharmaceutical compositions therefor. 
     The invention is further concerned with the pharmaceutical use of such compositions for the treatment and/or the prevention of coronary artery diseases, platelet aggregation and thrombosis, and/or prevention of atherosclerosis. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In a first embodiment, the present invention relates to optically pure 4-alkenyl- or 4-alkanyl-2-hydroxytetronic acid compounds of the general formulae Ia or Ib ##STR2## wherein R is an alkenyl group of 2-20 carbon atoms or an alkanyl group of 9-20 carbon atoms, and, when an alkenyl group, contains one or more degrees of unsaturation. 
     In a composition aspect, the present invention encompasses novel pharmaceutical compositions comprising the optically pure compound of the general formulae Ia and Ib, together with a physiologically acceptable carrier or excipient, in an amount sufficient to have antilipidemic or antiaggregatory activities in an animal or patient. The compounds and their compositions of the present invention are thus useful in the treatment or prevention of atherosclerotic disorders. 
     As used herein, the term &#34;alkenyl group of 2-20 carbon atoms containing one or more degrees of unsaturation&#34; means an organic, alkanyl group containing one or more double bonds and which can optionally be substituted by one or more halogen, lower alkanyl, alkoxy, aromatic or heteroaromatic groups. Examples of unsubstituted alkenyl groups include those such as 3-octadecenyl, 3,6,9,12-octadecatetraenyl, and the like. Examples of alkanyl groups of 9-20 carbon atoms include hexadecanyl, heptadecanyl, octadecanyl, nonadecanyl and eicosanyl, as well as their corresponding branched-chain analogs thereof. 
     Examples of substituted lower alkenyl groups include those such as halogen substituted alkenyl, e.g., fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo-substituted alkenyl; alkanyl-substituted alkenyl, e.g., methanyl-, ethanyl and similar alkenyl; and alkoxy substituted alkenyl, e.g., methoxy, ethoxy and similar-alkenyl. 
     As used herein, the term &#34;lower alkanyl&#34; means straightor branched-chain saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups preferably containing 1-6 carbon atoms. Representative of such groups are methyl, ethanyl, isopropanyl, isobutanyl, butanyl, pentanyl, hexanyl and the like. 
     The term &#34;alkoxy&#34; means a lower alkanyl group attached to the remainder of the molecule by oxygen. Examples of alkoxy are methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy and the like. The term &#34;aryl&#34; means phenyl or benzyl, optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms, e.g., fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo, or lower alkanyl groups. 
     A second embodiment of the present invention relates to a process for making optically pure 4-substituted-2hydroxytetronic acid compounds of formula I: ##STR3## wherein R&#39; is an alkenyl or alkanyl group of 2-20 carbon atoms, and, when an alkenyl group, contains one or more degrees of unsaturation, or an aryl group. 
     This process comprises: 
     (a) coupling of α-allyloxyacetic acid with the optically pure alkanyl ester of the formula II ##STR4## or its corresponding isomer, wherein R&#39; is as hereinbefore defined and alk is a lower alkanyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms in the presence of DCC (N,N 1  -dicyclohexylcarbodiimide) and an acid acceptor such as 4-pyrrolidinopyridine or dimethyl aminopyridine, to obtain an α-allyloxy acetyl ester of the formula III ##STR5## or its corresponding isomer, wherein alk and R&#39; are as hereinbefore defined; 
     (b) cyclizing the allyl ester of formula III with LiHMDA to afford the allyloxy aci-reductone of the formula IV ##STR6## wherein R&#39; is as hereinbefore defined, or its corresponding isomer; (c) isomerizing the allyloxy aci-reductone of formula IV with hydrogen and an iridium catalyst to yield the corresponding 1-propenyl ether of the formula V ##STR7## or its corresponding isomer, wherein R&#39; is as hereinbefore defined; and (d) hydrolysis of the enol ether of formula V, or its corresponding isomer with aqueous acid, to afford the desired compound of formula I. 
     The coupling of step (a) is typically conducted in an anhydrous solvent, such as methylene chloride, under an inert atmosphere. Preferably, the reaction is conducted at temperatures of about 5° C. to room temperature, for periods of 6-24 hours. The coupling reagents used are preferably DCC or hydroxybenzotriazine (HOBT) or the like in combination with a catalytic nucleophile such as 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP), 4-pyrrolidinopyridine or another typically utilized for this purpose. 
     The cyclization of step (b) is typically conducted in an anhydrous solvent such as tetrahydrofuran under an inert atmosphere. Preferably, this reaction is conducted at temperatures of about -78° C. for periods of 1-4 hours. LiHMDA is typically utilized as a sterically hindered non-nucleophilic base, but other similar sterically hindered bases can be substituted. 
     The isomerization of step (c) is preferably conducted in an anhydrous solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran, under an inert atmosphere. Typically, the reaction is conducted at room temperatures, with reaction times being approximately 1-4 hours. 
     The hydrolysis of step (d) is conducted with an aqueous acid, preferably 50% acetic acid, at reflux temperatures. 
     The invention also provides for pharmaceutical compositions comprising the optically pure compounds of the general formula I above, as well as their physiologically acceptable salts (such as, for example, Na + , K + , NH 4   + ). 
     The compounds of the invention have antilipidemic and antiaggregatory activity and are useful in the treatment or prevention of atherosclerotic disorders. The invention accordingly further provides optically pure compounds of the general formula I and their physiologically acceptable salts for use in the therapy or prophylaxis of atherosclerotic disorders. 
     When tested according to the methods described in the art, the (S)-isomers of formula Ib having the formula ##STR8## wherein R is as hereinbefore defined, have been found to possess markedly superior properties when compared to their corresponding (R)-isomers. 
     The R- and S-enantiomers were tested as inhibitors of arachidonic acid-induced aggregation in human platelet-rich plasma. Data for individual experiments (2 separate donors) are given as pIC 50  (log molar inhibitory concentration of each drug which blocks aggregation to arachidonic acid by 50%) Inhibitors were preincubated for 1 minute prior to addition of arachidonic acid (200-400 μM). Changes in light transmission were measured as an index of aggregation and quantified after 4 minutes. 
     These properties are summarized in Tables 1 and 2 below: 
     
                       TABLE 1______________________________________(R)-3,4-dihydroxy-5- (all-Z)-3,6,9,12-octadecatetraenyl!-2(5H)-furanone (μM)RAW DATA            -1 × LOG (0.000001 × DATA)______________________________________764.500             3.117538.000             3.269657.000             3.182653.167  AVE        3.189113.299  STD        0.07765.413   SEM        0.04417.346   C V        2.4003        N          3371.695  -95% CL    2.999934.639  +95% CL    3.380Back-transformed/data: (Geometric mean)646.510  AVE417.291  -95% CL1001.640 +95% CL______________________________________ 
    
     
                       TABLE 2______________________________________(S)-3,4-Dihydroxy-5 (all-Z)-3,6,9,12-octadecatetraenyl!-2(5H)-furanone (μM)RAW DATA            -1 × LOG (0.000001 × DATA)______________________________________0.319               6.4964.300               5.3672.200               5.6582.273    AVE        5.8401.992    STD        0.5871.150    SEM        0.33987.616   C V        10.0433        N          3-2.675   -95% CL    4.3837.221    +95% CL    7.297Back-transformed/data: (Geometric mean)1.445    AVE0.050    -95% CL41.405   +95% CL______________________________________ 
    
     The compounds of the invention may be formulated in a conventional manner, optionally together with one or more other active ingredients, for administration by any convenient route for example of oral, intravenous or intramuscular administration. 
     Thus, according to another aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formulae Ia or Ib and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. 
     For oral administration, the pharmaceutical composition may take the form of, for example, tablets, capsules, powders, solutions, syrups or suspensions prepared by conventional means with physiologically acceptable excipients. 
     The compounds may be formulated for intravenous or intramuscular administration in dry form for reconstitution before use, or as a sterile solution or suspension. 
     A proposed daily dose based on similar pharmacokinetic parameters to CHTA for administration to man is 10 to 25 mg/kg, for example 1 gm daily to 70 kg, which may be conveniently administered in 1 to 3 doses per day. The precise dose administered will, of course, depend on the age and condition of the patient. 
     The following examples illustrate the present invention. 
     Melting points were determined in open capillaries with a Thomas-Hoover Uni-Melt Apparatus and are uncorrected. Infrared spectra were recorded by a Laser Precision Analytical RFX-FTIR spectrometer (model TSI-400). Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra were obtained with either an IBM-Bruker model NR/250, 270 or 500 FT NMR spectrometer. Tetramethylsilane (TMS) in CDCl 3 , acetone-d 6 , or CD 3  OD was used as internal standard. Chemical shifts were reported on the δ scale with peak multiplicities: s, singlet; d, doublet; dd, doublet of doublets; ddd, doublet of doublets of doublets; t, triplet; q, quartet; m, multiplet. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) was distilled from Na/benzophenone ketyl and CH 2  Cl 2  was dried over P 2  O 5 . Optical rotations were taken on a Perkin-Elmer model 241 polarimeter using a 10 cm, 1 mL cell. Mass spectra were acquired with either a Kratos MS25RFA or a VG 70-250S mass spectrometer. Elemental analyses were performed by Galbraith Laboratories, Inc., Knoxville, Tenn. 
     PREPARATION OF STARTING MATERIALS 
     EXAMPLE A 
     3,6,9-Pentadecatriyn-1-ol. In a 1 L three-necked, flame-dried round. bottom flask fitted with a reflux condenser and a rubber septum was placed 3.86 g (159 mmol) of magnesium in 250 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. Bromoethane (17.3 g; 1586 mmol) in 250 mL anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise, under argon, and the reflux rate was controlled with the aid of an ice-water bath. The mixture was heated to reflux and stirred for 1 hour. 3-Butyn-1-ol (5.56 g, 79.3 mmol), dissolved in 150 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran, was slowly added dropwise with stirring (2 hours). Following addition, the reaction was heated to reflux. After stirring for 90 minutes, 0.5 g (2.63 mmol) of cuprous (I) iodide was added. After 75 minutes 9.0 g (39.65 mmol) of 1-bromo-2,5-undecadiyne dissolved in 150 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was added. The mixture was heated at reflux for 12 h and an additional 0.25 g (1.32 mmol) of cuprous (I) iodide was added. The mixture was heated at reflux for 7 hours, cooled and quenched by addition of 400 mL of ice-water saturated with ammonium chloride. After filtration (Celite), the filtrate was extracted with 3×400 mL of ether. The ether layers were washed with 2×300 mL of saturated ammonium chloride solution, 3×200 mL of water, 250 mL of brine, dried (Na 2  SO 4 ), and concentrated in vacuo to yield 6.2 g of yellow-brown oil. The residue was partially purified by crystallization (petroleum ether) at -20° C. to produce 5.75 g (75%) of an unstable yellow oil (room temperature) which was utilized immediately in the next reaction. IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3365, 2956, 2933, 2225;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 3.70 (t, J=6.2 Hz, 2H), 3.17-3.13 (m, 4H), 2.45 (dt, J=1.5, 5.9, 12.0 Hz, 2H), 2.15 (dt, J=2.1, 6.9, 13.9 Hz, 2H), 1.68 (br,  1  H), 1.55-1.43 (m, 2H), 1.43-1.26 (m, 4H), 0.89 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 15  H 20  O (M + ) 216.1514, found 216.1519. 
     (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-Pentadecatriene-1-ol. 3,6,9-Pentadecatriynol (5.75 g, 26.6 mmol), 5% palladium on barium sulfate (0.5 g) and 5 drops of 3% quinoline in methanol were added to a 500 mL hydrogenation flask. Hydrogen, at an initial pressure of 72 psi, was taken up over 30 minutes. The mixture was filtered (Celite) and the filtrate was evaporated in vacuo to produce 5.7 g of crude triene which was purified over silica gel using ethyl acetate:hexanes (1:5) yielding 5.5. g (93%) of light yellow oil: IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3336 (br), 3012, 2958, 2927, 1652, 719;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 5.60-5.28 (m, 6H), 3.67 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 2H), 2.88-2.79 (m, 2H), 2.43-2.33 (m, 2H), 2.12-1.98 (m, 2H), 1.68-1.53 (m, 2H), 1.53-1.23  (m, 6H), 0.89 (t, J=6.7 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 15  H 26  O (M + ) 222.1984, found 222.1990. 
     (3Z,6Z,9Z)-1-Bromo-3,6,9-pentadecatriene. To a 250 mL three-necked round bottom flask was added under nitrogen 9.46 g (36.1 mmol) of triphenylphosphine dissolved in 150  mL of anhydrous acetonitrile. After cooling to 0° C. (ice-salt bath), bromine (5.77 g, 36.1 mmol) was added dropwise with stirring. The mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 30 minutes. 3,6,9-Pentadecatrienol (6.16 g, 27.75 mmol), dissolved in 50 mL of anhydrous acetonitrile, was added dropwise (15 minutes) and stirred for approximately 4 hours. Upon reaction completion acetonitrile was removed in vacuo and the residue was dissolved in 75 mL of ether. Hexanes were utilized to precipitate the triphenylphosphorane side product which was removed by filtration. The crude residue, obtained after concentration of the filtrate in vacuo, was purified over silica gel using ethyl acetate:hexanes (1:9) as eluant. The product 7.0 g (90%) was obtained as a light yellow oil. IR (neat,cm -1 ) 2958, 2927, 1652, 1267, 723; 1  IH NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 5.69-5.28 (m, 6H), 3.38 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 2.89-2.75 (m, 4H), 2.75-2.52 (m, 2H), 2.12-1.93 (m, 2H), 1.49-1.31 (m, 6H), 0.89 (t, J =6.8 Hz, 3H);  13  C NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 131.0, 130.6, 128.9, 127.4 (2C), 126.3, 32.2, 31.5, 30.9, 29.3, 27.3, 25.8, 25.7, 22.6, 14.0; HRMS calculated for C 15  H 25  Br (M + ) 284.1139, found 284.1.101. 
      (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9,-Pentadecatrieyl!triphenyl-phosphonium Bromide. Bromo-3,6,9-pentadecatriene (7.0 g, 24.6 mmol) was treated with 7.5 g (28.6 mmol) of triphenylphosphine in 25 mL of acetonitrile. The mixture was heated to 70° C. under nitrogen atmosphere. Following reaction completion (monitor salt formation by TLC; 72 hours) the mixture was dried for 36 hours under reduced pressure to ensure removal of traces of acetonitrile. The resultant yellow residue, 13.45 g, was used in the next reaction without further purification: IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3010, 2958, 1652, 1191, 723;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 7.93-7.61 (m, 15 H), 5.69-5.12 (m, 6H), 4.02-3.91 (m, 2H), 2.69-2.48 (m, 4H), 2.09-1.92 (m, 2H), 1.89-1.72 (m, 2H), 1.46-1.25 (m, 6H), 0.88 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 3H). 
     (S)-2,2-Dimethyl-4-oxo-l,3-dioxolane-5-acetyl Chloride. To 20 g (1149 mmol) of (S)-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-5-acetic acid in a dry 250 mL round bottom flask was added under argon and at room temperature 75 (630 mmol) of thionyl chloride and 2 drops of DMF. The reaction mixture was stirred until evolution of gaseous HCl ceased (oil bubbler; approximately 2 hours). The excess thionyl chloride was distilled in vacuo and remaining traces were removed under reduced pressure (9 hours). The acid chloride (22.1 g) thus obtained was utilized without further purification in the next step: IR (neat, cm -1 ) 2998, 1793, 1751, 989, 958;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 4.69 (dd, J=3.6, 6.4 Hz,  1  H), 3.56 (dd, J=3.6, 18.1 Hz,  1  H, 3.36 (dd, J=6.4, 18.1 Hz,  1  H), 1.65 (s, 3H), 1.58 (s, 3H). 
     (S)-2,2-Dimethyl-4-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-5-acetaldehyde. To a 500 mL three-necked flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, reflux condenser and gas inlet dispersion tube was added 22.1 g (115 mmol) of crude (S)-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-5-acetyl chloride dissolved in 250 mL of anhydrous xylenes. To this solution was added 2.0 g of 5% palladium on barium sulfate and 0.2 mL of stock quinoline-sulfur poison solution (prepared by refluxing 1 g of sulfur with 5 mL of quinoline for 6 hours and diluting to a final volume of 70 mL with anhydrous xylenes). Hydrogen gas was bubbled through the stirred reaction mixture and the hydrogen chloride gas generated was trapped in 175 mL of water containing a few drops of phenolphthalein indicator. The mixture was heated at 135° C. and monitored by titration of the hydrogen chloride solution with 5M sodium hydroxide solution. On completion (approximately 3 hours), the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and 1.5 g of Norit was added. The mixture was filtered (Celite) and the filtrate concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified over silica gel using ethyl acetate: hexanes (1:3) to furnish 16.2 g (89%) of white solid: mp 37°-38° C.;  α! D   25  1.4° (c=4.54, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 2994 2744, 1793, 1725, 1386;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 9.78 (s, 1H), 4.80 (dd, J=3.6, 6.8 Hz, 1H), 3.10 (dd, J=3.6, 18.3 Hz, 1H); 2.92 (dd, J=6.9, 18.3 Hz, 1H), 1.63 (s, 3H), 1.58 (s, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 7  H 10  O 4  (M + ) 158.0579, found 158.0572. 
     (S)-5-(3-Methoxyallyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-one. In a dry 500 mL three-necked round bottom flask under argon was dissolved 14.2 g (126.58 mmol) of potassium t-butoxide in 300 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. The solution was cooled to 0° C. and 44 g (126.6 mmol) of methoxymethyltriphenylphosphine chloride was added slowly and with stirring (20 minutes). The resulting orange-red solution was stirred at 0° C. for 45 minutes and 10 g (63.3 mmol) of (S)-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-5-acetaldehyde in 50 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise (15 minutes). The mixture was allowed to stir at ambient temperature for 1 hour and quenched by addition of 100 mL of brine. Following stirring for 1 hour, the mixture was extracted with 3×250 mL of ether. The combined ether extract was washed with 2×150 mL of brine, dried (Na 2  SO 4 ) and filtered. The filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure to yield 18 g of a crude brown colored liquid (contaminated with the triphenylphosphorane). This residue was purified over silica gel using ethyl acetate:petroleum ether (1:9) to give 9.2 g (78%) of a mixture of inseparable E:Z enol ethers as a colorless liquid:  α! D   25  -3.2° (c=2.8, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 2994, 2938, 1793, 1658;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ for the E-enol ether (75%) 6.42 (d, J=12.7 Hz, 1H), 4.49-4.34 (m, 2H), 3.53 (s 3H), 2.72-2.32 (m, 2H), 1.60 (s, 3H), 1.54 (s, 3H), for the Z-enol ether (25%) 6.04 (d, J=6.1 Hz, 1H), 4.78-4.61 (m, 2H), 3.61 (s, 3H), 2.72-2.32 (m, 2H), 1.60 (s, 3H), 1.54  (s, 3H);HRMS calculated for C 9  H 14  O 4  (M + ) 186.0892, found 186.0894. 
     Methyl (2S)-Tetrahydro-5-methoxy-2-furoate. To the enol ethers, (S)-5-(3-methoxyallyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-one (4.0 g, 21.5 retool), dissolved in 150 mL of anhydrous methanol was added 5-6 drops of concentrated H 2  SO 4 . The resultant solution was heated for 6 hours and cooled to room temperature. Sodium bicarbonate (0.5 g) was added, and the methanol was removed in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in 250 mL of CH 2  Cl 2  and washed with 2×100 mL of saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and 2×125 mL of brine. The organic extract was dried (Na 2  SO 4 ) and the solvent removed under reduced pressure to produce a colorless liquid which was purified over silica gel using ethyl acetate:hexanes (1:1) as eluant to provide 2.93 g (86%) of a colorless liquid as a 3:1 mixture of diastereomers:  α! D   25  27.3° (c=1.2, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -  1) 2958, 1739, 1213, 1105;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ for diastereomer A (66%) 5.21 (m, 1H), 4.64-4.52 (m, 1H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 2.44-1.83 (m, 4H); for diastereomer B (33%) 5.08 (m, 1H), 4.64-4.52 (m, 1H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 3.42 (s, 3H), 2.44-1.83 (m, 4H); HRMS calculated for C 7  H 12  O 4  (M + ) 160.0735, found 160.0718. 
     Methyl (2S)-Tetrahydro-5-hydroxy-2-furoate. Methyl (2S)-tetrahydro-5-methoxy-2-furoate (2.93 g, 18.3 retool) was stirred with 500 mL of 25% aqueous acetic acid for approximately 10 hours (monitor by TLC). Upon reaction completion the aqueous acetic acid was removed in vacuo and the residue was purified over silica gel using ethyl acetate:hexane (1:1) to give 2.4 g (90%) of a colorless liquid as a 5.8:4.2 diastereomeric mixture:  α! D   25  9.3° (c =2.7, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3457 (br), 2956, 1735, 1062, 1010  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ for diastereomer A (58%) 5.62 (m, 1H), 4.60 (dd, J=6.5, 8.1 Hz, 1H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 2.46-1.93 (m, 4H); for diastereomer B (42%) 5.75 (m, 1H), 4.73 (dd, J=3.8, 8.5  Hz, 1H), 3.76, (s, 3H), 2.46-1.93 (m, 4H); HRMS calculated for C 6  H 10  O 4  (M + ) 146.0579, found 146.0574. 
     Methyl (S)-2-Hydroxyarachiodonate. To a flame-dried, 500 mL three-necked flask, fitted with a low temperature thermometer and a rubber septum, was added under argon 12.35 g (22.57 mmol) of 3,6,9-pentadecatrienetriphenylphosphine bromide and 350 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. The solution was cooled to -35° C. and 14.1 mL of 1.6 M n-BuLi in hexanes (22.56 mmol) was added dropwise with stirring. The dark red solution was warmed to room temperature, stirred for an additional 30 minutes and cooled to -35° C. The solution was cooled to -60° C., and methyl (2S)-tetrahydro-5-hydroxy-2-furoate (1.65 g, 11.28 mmol) dissolved in 25 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise (approximately 15 minutes). The mixture was stirred at -60° C. for 2 hours and warmed to room temperature. Upon completion (TLC monitoring, approximately 8-9 hours), the reaction was quenched by the addition of 100 mL of 10 % aqueous HCl solution and extracted with 3×300 mL of ethyl acetate. The organic layers were washed with 3×250 mL of water, 2×200 mL of brine, dried (Na 2  SO 4 ), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue contaminated with the triphenylphosphorane, was purified over silica gel using ethyl acetate:hexanes (1:5) as eluant to provide 3.1 g (82%) of yellow oil:  α! D   25  10.2° (c=5.4,CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3477 (br), 3012, 2956, 1739, 1652, 721;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ5.45-5.25 (m, 8H), 4.20 (dd, J=4.0, 7.6 Hz, 1H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 2.92-2.74 (m, 4H), 2.35-1.92 (m, 4H), 1.91-1.62 (m, 2H), 1.49-1.24 (m, 6H), 0.89 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 21  H 34  O 3  (M.sup. +) 334. 2507, found 334. 2509; analysis calculated for C 21  H 34  O 3  : C, 75.41; H, 10.25. Found C, 75.36; H, 10.13. 
     EXAMPLE B 
     (R)-2,2-Dimethyl-4-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-5-acetyl Chloride was prepared as for the S-isomer of Example A from R-malic acid in similar yield: IR (neat, cm -1 ) 2996, 1793, 1751, 989 958;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 4.69 (dd, J=3.6, 6.4 Hz, 1H), 3.53 (dd, J=3.6, 18.1 Hz, 1H) 3.35 (dd, J=6.4, 18.1 Hz, 1H) 1.65 (s, 3H), 1.58 (s, 3H). 
     (R)-2,2-Dimethyl-4-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-5-acetaldehyde was prepared as for the S-isomer from (R)-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-5-acetyl chloride in similar yield: mp 37°-38° C.;  α! D   25  3.7° (c=5.12, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 2996, 2746, 1791, 1727, 1388;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ9.78 (s, 1H), 4.80 (dd, J=3.6, 6.8 Hz, 1H), 3.11 (dd, J=3.6, 18.3 Hz, 1H), 2.93 (dd, J=6.9, 18.3 Hz, 1H), 1.63 (s, 3H), 1.58 (s, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 7  H 10  O 4  (M + ) 158.0579, found 158.0574. 
     (R)-5-(3-Methoxyallyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3 -dioxolan-4-one was prepared as for the S-isomer from (R)-2,2-dimethyl-5-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-acetaldehyde in similar yield:  α! D   25  3.1° (c=3.07, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm - ) 2992, 2740, 1793, 1656;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) for the E-enol ether (72%) δ 6.42 (d, J=12.7 Hz, 1H), 4.49-4.34 (m, 2H), 3.53 (s, 3H), 2.72-2.32 (m, 2H), 1.61 (s, 3H), 1.54 (s, 3H); for the Z-enol ether (28%) 6.05 (d, J=6.1 Hz, 1H), 4.78-4.65 (m, 2H), 3.61 (S, 3H), 2.72-2.32 (m, 2H), 1.61 (S, 3H), 1.54 (S, H); HRMS calculated for C 9  H 14  O 4  (M + ) 186.0892, found 186.0891. 
     Methyl (2R)-Tetrahydro-5-methoxy-2-furoate was prepared as for the S-isomer from (R)-5-(3-methoxyallyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-one in similar yield:  α! D   25  -28.33° (c=0.1, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 2956, 1754, 1209, 1105;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) diastereomer A (66%) δ 5.21 (m, 1H), 4.64-4.52 (m, 1H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 3.38 (s, 3H), 2.42-1.84 (m, 4H) for diastereomer B (33%) 5.08 (m, 1H), 4.64-4.52 (m, 1H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 3.42 (s, 3H), 2.42-1.84 (m, H); HRMS calculated for C 7  H 12  O 4  (M + ) 160.0735, found 160.0750. 
     Methyl (2R)-Tetrahydro-5-hydroxy-2- furoate was prepared as for the S-isomer from methyl (2R)-tetrahydro-5-methoxy-2-furoate in similar yield:  α! D   25  -9.2° (c=1.8, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3543 (br), 2956, 1741, 1068, 1010;  1  H NMR (CDCL 3 ) for diastereomer A (58%) a 5.62 (m, 1H), 4.67 (dd, J=6.5, 8.1 Hz, 1H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 2.46-1.93 (m, 4H); for diastereomer B (42%) δ 5.75 (m, 1H), 4.73 (dd, J=3.8, 8.5 Hz, 1H), 3.76 (s, 3H), 2.46-1.93 (m, 4H); HRMS calculated for C 6  H 10  O 4  (M + ), 146.0579, found 46.0577. 
     Methyl (R)-2-Hydroxyarachidonate was prepared as for the S-isomer from methyl (2R)-tetrahydro-5-hydroxy-2-furoate in similar yield:  α! D   25  -10.5° (c=0.9, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3504 (br), 3012, 2956, 1739, 1652, 723;  1  H NMR (CDCL 3 ) δ 5.45-5.25 (m, 8H), 4.20 (dd, J=4.0, 7.7 Hz, 1H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 2.92-2.74 (m, 4H); 1.90-1.62 (m, 2H), 1.49-1.24 (m, 6H), 0.89 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 3H), HRMS calculated for C 21  H 34  O 3  (M + ), 334.2507, found 334.2506. 
     EXAMPLE C 
     Pentadecyltriphenylphosphonium Bromide. Under nitrogen atmosphere 1-bromopentadecane (6.5 g, 22.4 mmol) was treated with 5.87 g (22.4 mmol) of triphenylphosphine in 15 mL of acetonitrile and heated to 135° C. The reaction was monitored by TLC (salt formation, about 18 hours), and the mixture was dried under reduced pressure (24 hours) to ensure removal of traces of acetonitrile and provided 12.3 g of a colorless solid which was utilized in the next reaction without further purification. 
     Methyl (2S,5Z)-2-Hydroxy-5-eicosenoate. To a flame-dried 500 mL three-necked flask fitted with a low temperature thermometer and a rubber septum, was added under argon 12.2 g (22.06 mmol) of pentadecyltriphenylphosphonium bromide and 300 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. 
     Following cooling to -35° C., 13.8 mL of 1.6 M n-BuLi in hexanes (22.06 mmol) was added dropwise and with stirring. The orange solution was warmed to room temperature and stirred for an additional 30 minutes. The mixture was cooled to -35° C., and 18.5 g (103.3 mmol) of hexamethylphosphoramide was added slowly. The reaction mixture was stirred for 45 minutes and cooled to -60° C. Methyl (2S)-tetrahydro-5-hydroxy-2-furoate (1.6 g, 11.03 mmol) and dissolved in 25 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise, and stirring was continued for 1 hour at -60° C. The mixture was warmed to room temperature; reaction completion was monitored using TLC. The reaction was quenched by addition of 100 mL of 10% aqueous HCl solution and extracted with 3×300 mL of ethyl acetate. The organic layers were washed with 3×250 mL of water, 2×200 mL of brine, dried (Na 2  SO 4 ), filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The residue, contaminated with triphenylphosphorane, was purified over silica gel using ethyl acetate: hexanes (1:5) to yield 2.98 g (80%) of colorless oil:  α! D   25  +8.9° (C=1.4, CH 3  OH); IR neat, cm -1 ) 3475 (br), 3006, 2925, 1739, 721;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 5.48-5.24 (m, 2H), 4.20 (m, 1H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 2.72 (d, J=5.3 Hz, 1H), 2.32-2.15 (m, 2H), 2.15-1.98 (m, 2H), 1.92-1.64 (m, 2H), 1.48-1.21 (m, 24H), 0.88 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 3H);  13  C NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 175.7, 131.5, 127.9, 70.0, 52.4, 34.4, 31.9, 29.7 (5C), 29.6 (2C), 29.3 (3C),  27.2, 22.7 (2C), 14.0; HRMS calculated for C 21  H 40  O 3  (M + ) 340.2977, found 340.2977; analysis calculated for C 21  H 40  O 3  : C, 74.07; H, 11.84: Found: C, 74.13; H, 11.91. 
     EXAMPLE D 
     Methyl (2R,5Z)-2-Hydroxy-5-eicosenoate was prepared as for the S-isomer from methyl (2R)-tetrahydro-5-hydroxy-2furoate in similar yield:  α! D   25  -8.8° (c=2.1, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3482 (br), 3006, 2925, 1739, 721;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 5.48-5.24 (m, 2H), 4.20 (m, 1H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 2.72 (d, J=5.3 HZ, 1H), 2.32-2.15 (m, 2H), 2.15-1.98 (m, 2H), 1.92-1.64 (m, 2H), 1.48-1.21 (m, 24H), 0.88 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 3H);  13  C NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 175.7, 131.5, 127.9, 70.0, 52.3, 34.4, 31.9, 29.7 (5C), 29.6 (2C), 29.3 (3C), 27.2, 22.7 (2C), 14.0; HRMS calculated for C 21  H 40  O 3  (M + ) 340.2977, found 340.2970. 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     Methyl (S)-2-(Allyloxy)acetyloxy arachidinoate. To a dry two-necked round bottom flask fitted with a rubber septum was added, under argon, 1.5 g (4.49 retool) of methyl (S)-2-hydroxyarachidonate dissolved in 125 mL of anhydrous CH 2  Cl 2 . The solution was cooled to 10° C. (ice bath) and 1.30 g of allyloxyacetic acid (11.23 mmol) dissolved in 15 mL of anhydrous CH 2  Cl 2  and 0.133 g (0.90 mmol) of 4-pyrrolidinopyridine dissolved in 2 mL of anhydrous CH 2  Cl 2  was added. A solution of 2.32 g (11.23 mmol) of DCC in 25 mL of CH 2  Cl 2  was added dropwise with stirring, warmed to room temperature, and stirred overnight. CH 2  Cl 2  was removed by distillation under reduced pressure and the residue was chromatographed on silica gel using ethyl acetate:hexanes (1:5) as eluant to furnish 1.79 g (92%) of yellow oil:  α! D   25  -8.1°  (c=0.1, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3012, 2956, 1751, 1652;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 5.94-5.82 (m, 1H), 5.41-5.22 (m, 10H), 5.11 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 1H), 4.23 (d, J=16.6 Hz, 1H), 4.22 (d, J=16.6 Hz, 1H), 4.12 (d, J=1.3, 5.7 Hz, 2H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 2.89-2.68 (m, 4H), 2.32-1.89 (m, 2H), 1.42-1.31 (m, 6H), 0.89 (t, 6.5 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 26  H 40  O 5  (M + ) 432.2875, found 432.2856; analysis calculated for C 26  H 40  O 5  : C, 72.19; H, 9.32: Found: C, 71.90; H, 9.11. 
     (S)-3-(Allyloxy)-4-hydroxy-5- (all-Z)-3,6,9,12-octadecatetraenyl!-2(5H)-furanone. To a flame-dried, three-necked, 250 mL round bottom flask under argon fitted with a low temperature thermometer and a septum was added 1.23 g (7.59 mmol) of hexamethyldisilazane in 100 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. The contents were cooled to -25° C. (dry ice, CCl 4 ) and 4.75 mL of 1.6 M (7.59 mmol) n-BuLi in hexanes was added dropwise with stirring while maintaining the temperature below -15° C. The stirred reaction mixture was warmed to -5° C., the contents maintained between -5° C. and 0° C. for 45 minutes, and cooled to -78° C. (dry ice/acetone). Methyl (S)-2-hydroxyarachidonate, (allyloxy) acetate (1.56 g, 3.61 mmol) in 30 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise with stirring while maintaining the temperature below -68° C. Following addition, the mixture was stirred at -78° C. for 75 minutes and quenched by addition of 40 mL of 10% aqueous HCl solution. Ether (125 mL) was added, the mixture warmed to room temperature, and extracted with 3×100 mL of ether. The ether extract was washed with 2×75 mL of brine, dried (Na 2  SO 4 ) and concentrated in vacuo to yield 1.34 g of crude product which was purified over silica gel using 10% methanol in chloroform as eluant to provide 1.28 g (89%) of yellow oil:  α! D   25  -9.7° (c=0.2, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm.sup. -1 ) 3081 (br), 3012, 2956, 1747, 1670, 723;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 6.05-5.89 (m, 1H), 5.44-5.14 (m, 10H), 4.72 (dd, J=3.5, 7.7 Hz, 1H), 4.48 (dt, J=1.2, 5.6 Hz, 2H), 2.89-2.69 (m, 6H), 2.38-1.88 (m, 4H), 1.71-1.21 (m, 8H), 0.87 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 3H); MS (FAB) (M+1) +  401; HRMS calculated for C 25  H 36  O 4  M +  400.2614), found 400.2606; analysis calculated for C 25  H 36  O 4  +H 2  O: C,71.74; H, 9.15: Found: C, 71.90; H, 9.11. 
     (S)-4-Hydroxy-5- (all-Z)-3,6,9,12-octadecatetraenyl!-3- (E)-propenyloxy!-2(5H)-furanone. To a flame-dried, three-necked 250 mL round bottom flask was added, under argon, 0.254 g (0.30 mmol) of  Bis-(methyldiphenylphosphine)!(1,5-cyclooctadiene) iridium(1) hexafluorophosphate suspended in 50 mL of freshly distilled peroxide free anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. The flask was evacuated and the argon displaced with hydrogen. The red colored suspension turned to a colorless solution and after 5 minutes the flask was evacuated and replaced with argon. The (S)-3-(allyloxy) -4-hydroxy-5- (all-Z)-3,6,9,12-octadecatetraenyl!-2(5H)-furanone(0.6 g, 1.5 mmol), dissolved in 25 mL of peroxide free tetrahydrofuran, was added and reaction completion monitored using TLC (approximately 3 hours). The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was purified over silica gel using 10% methanol in chloroform as eluant to furnish 0.47 g (79%) of dark yellow oil:  α! D   25  -11.2 ° (c=0.2, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3081(br), 3012, 2956, 1745, 1662, 721;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 6.42-6.35 (m, 1H), 5.49-5.23 (m, 8H), 5.05-4.89 (m, 1H), 4.77 (dd, J=3.5, 7.9 Hz, 1H), 2.92-2.74 (m, 4H), 2.31-1.57 (m, 6H), 1.51 (dd, J=1.6, 6.9 Hz, 3H), 1.45-1.28 (m, 8H), 0.87 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 3H); MS(FAB) (M+1) +  401, (M+Na)+423; HRMS calculated for C 25  H 36  O 4  (M + ) 400.2614, found 400.2616; analysis calculated for C 25  H 36  O 4  +H 2  O): C, 71.74; H, 9.15: Found: C, 71.70; H, 9.06. 
     (S)-3,4-Dihydroxy-5- (all-Z)-3,6,9,12-octadecatetraenyl!-2(5H)-furanone. To a 100 mL round bottom flask was added, under nitrogen, 0.3 g (0.74 mmol) of (S)-4-hydroxy-5 (all-Z)-3,6,9,12-octadecatetraenyl!-3- (E-propenyloxy!-2(5H)-furanone dissolved in 60 mL of 50% aqueous acetic acid. The stirred solution was heated a reflux (oil bath) for 15 minutes, cooled, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel using 12% methanol in chloroform as eluant to provide 0.26 g (95%) of yellow oil:  α! D   25  -13.5° (c=0.2, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3220 (br), 3012, 2956, 1751, 1670, 1652, 723, 694;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 5.48-5.34 (m, 8H), 4.68 (dd, J=3.4, 7.9 Hz, 1H), 2.85-2.72 (m, 4H), 2.25-2.19 (m, 2H),  2.18-1.97 (m, 4H), 1.65-1.52 (m, 1H), 1.48-1.28 (m, 7H), 0.87 (t, J=6.7 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 22  H 32  O 4  (M + ) 360.2301, found 360.2308;  analysis calculated for C 22  H 32  O 4  +0.33 H 2  O: C, 72.1; H, 8.98: Found: C, 72.18; H, 8.93. 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     Methyl (R)-2-(2-Allyloxy) acetyloxyarachidonate was prepared as for the S-isomer from methyl (R)-2-hydroxyarachidonate in similar yield:  α! D   25  7.0° (c=0.1, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3012, 2956, 1756, 1648;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 5.94-5.82 (m, 2H), 5.45-5.22 (m, 10H), 5.11 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 1H); 4.23 (d, J=16.6 Hz, 1H), 4.22 (d, J=16.6, 1H), 4.12 (dt, J=1.3, 5.7 Hz, 2H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 2.89-2.68 (m, 4H), 2.28-1.89 (m, 6H), 1.61-1.49 (m, 2H), 1.42-1.31 (m, 6H), 0.89 (t, J=6.5 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 26  H 40  O 5  (M + ), 432.2875, found 432.2858. 
     (R)-3-(Allyloxy)-4-hydroxy-5- (all-Z)-3,6,9,12-octadecatetraenyl!-2(5H)-furanone was prepared as for the S-isomer from methyl (R)-2-hydroxyarachidonate, (allyloxy) acetate in similar yield:  α!D 25  9.4° (C=0.3, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3081(br), 3012, 2956, 1749, 1670, 723;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 6.05-5.89 (m, 1H), 5.44-5.14 (m, 10H), 4.74 (dd, J=3.5, 7.7 Hz, 1H), 4.48 (dt, J=1.1, 5.7 Hz, 2H), 2.87-2.69 (m, 6H), 2.42-1.88 (m, 4H), 1.71-1.21 (m, 8H), 0.87 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 3H); MS(FAB) (M+1) +  401; HRMS calculated for C 25  H 36  O 4  (M + ) 400.2614, found 400.2607. 
     (R)-4-Hydroxy-5- (all-Z)-3,6,9,12-octadecatetraenyl!-3- (E)-propenyloxy!-2(5H)-furanone was prepared as for the S-isomer from (R)-3-(Allyloxy)-4-hydroxy-5- (all-Z)-3,6,9,12-octadecatetraenyl!-2(5H)-furanone in similar yield:  α! D   25  11.7° (C=0.2, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3081 (br), 3012, 2956, 1749, 1664, 696;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 6.42-6.35 (m, 1H), 5.49-5.23 (m, 8H), 5.05-4.89 (m, 1H) 4.77 (dd, J=3.5, 7.9 Hz, 1H), 2.92-2.74 (m, 4H), 2.31-1.57 (m, 6H), 1.51 (dd, J=1.6, 6.9 Hz, 3H), 1.45-1.28  (m, 8H), 0.87 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 3H); MS(FAB) (M+i) +  401, (M+Na) +  423; HRMS calculated for C 25  H 36  O 4  (M + ) 400.2614, found 400.2615. 
     (R)-3,4-Dihydroxy-5- all-Z)-3,6,9,12-octadecatetraenyl!-2(5H)-furanone was prepared as for the S-isomer from (R)-4-Hydroxy-5- (all-Z)-3,6,9,12-octadecatetraenyl!-3- (E)-propenyloxy!-2(5H)-furanone in similar yield:  α! D   25  13.2° (c=0.2, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3241 (br), 3012, 2956, 1751, 1675, 1652, 723, 694;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 5.48-5.34 (m, 8H), 4.68 (dd, J=3.4, 7.9 Hz, 1H), 2.85-2.72 (m, H), 2.35-2.19 (m, 2H), 2.18-1.97 (m, 4H), 1.65-1.52 (m, 1H), 1.48-1.28 (m, 7H), 0.87 (t, J=6.7 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 22  H 32  O 4  (M + ) 360.2301, found 360.2305; analysis calculated for C 22  H 32  O 4  +0.5 H 2  O: C, 71.51;  H, 9.00; Found: C, 71.52; H, 9.14. 
     EXAMPLE 3 
     Methyl (2S, 5Z)-2-(2-Allyloxy)acetyloxy-5-eicosenoate. To a dry 100 mL three-necked round bottom flask fitted with a rubber septurn was added, under argon, 0.65 g (1.91 mmol) of methyl (2S,5Z)-2-hydroxy-5-eicosenoate and 50 mL of anhydrous CH 2  Cl 2 . Following cooling to 10° C. (ice bath), 0.45 g (3.82 mmol) of allyloxyacetic acid dissolved in 15 mL of anhydrous CH 2  Cl 2  and 0.028 g (0.19 mmol) of 4-pyrrolidinopyridine dissolved in 2 mL of anhydrous CH 2  Cl 2  were added. A solution containing 0.79 g (3.82 mmol) of DCC in 15 mL of CH 2  Cl 2  was added dropwise and the stirred mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for an additional 8 hours. CH 2  Cl 2  was evaporated in vacuo and the product was purified over silica gel using ethyl acetate:hexanes (1:5) as eluant to furnish  0.78 g (93%) of colorless oil:  α! D   25  -6.5° (c=1.6, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3006, 2923, 1758, 721;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 6.01-5.86 (m, 1H), 5.51-5.24 (m, 4H), 5.10 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 1H), 4.22 (d, J=16.6 Hz, 1H), 4.23 (d, J=16.6 Hz, 1H), 4.13 (dt, J=1.1, 5.7 Hz, 2H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 2.26-2.12 (m, 2H), 2.07-1.87 (m, 4H), 1.42-1.28 (m, 24H), 0.88 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 26  H 46  O 5  (M + ), 438.3345 found 438.3330. 
     (S)-3-Allyloxy-4-hydroxy-5- (Z)-3-octadecenyl!-2 (5H)-furanone. To a flame-dried, three-necked 250 mL round bottom flask fitted with a low temperature thermometer and a septum was added, under argon, 0.648 g (4.02 mmol) of hexamethyldisilazane in 50 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. The contents were cooled to -25° C. (dry-ice/CCl 4 ), and 2.51 mL of 1.6 M (4.02 mmol) of n-BuLi in hexanes was added dropwise with stirring while maintaining the temperature below -15° C. The mixture was warmed to -5° C. and the contents maintained between -5° C. and 0° C. for 45 minutes. The mixture was cooled to -78° C. (dry ice/acetone) and 0.84 g (1.91 mmol) methyl (2S,5Z)-2-(2-allyloxy)acetyloxy-5-eicosenoate in 20 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise with stirring while maintaining the temperature below -68° C. Following addition, the mixture was stirred at -78° C. for 75 minutes and quenched with 10 mL of 10 % aqueous HCl solution. Ether (75 mL) was added, and the reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and extracted with 3×75 mL of ether. The ether extracts were washed with 2×50 mL of brine, dried (Na 2  SO 4 ) and concentrated in vacuo to provide 0.75 g (97%) of residue. Purification over silica gel using 10% methanol in chloroform as eluant provided 0.69 g (89%) of white solid: mp 51°-54° C.,;  α! D   25  -9.0° (c=0.6, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3079 (br), 3002, 2915, 1741, 1654, 734, 719;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 6.04-5.89 (m, 1H), 5.47-5.15 (m, 4H), 4.72 (dd, J=3.5, 7.6 Hz, 1H), 4.48  (dt, J=1.1, 5.9 Hz, 2H), 2.21-1.54 (m, 6H), 1.45-1.28 (m, 24H), 0.87 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 25  H 42  O 4  (M + ) 406.3083, found 406.3084; analysis calculated for C 25  H 42  O 4  : C, 73.85; H, 10.41. Found: C, 73.52; H, 10.27. 
     (S)-4-Hydroxy-5- (Z)-3-octadecenyl!-3- (E)-propenyloxy!-2(5H)-furanone. To a flame-dried, three-necked 250 mL round bottom flask under argon was added 0.172 g (0.20 mmol) of  bis(methyldiphenylphosphine)!(1,5-cyclooctadiene) iridium(1) hexafluorophosphate suspended in 35 mL of freshly distilled peroxide free anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. The flask as evacuated and the argon displaced with hydrogen. The red suspension turned to a colorless solution after 5 minutes. The flask was evacuated, and the hydrogen replaced with argon. (S)-3-allyloxy-4-hydroxy-5- (Z)-3-octadecenyl!-2 (5H)-furanone (0.415 g, 1.02 mmol) was dissolved in 25 mL of peroxide free tetrahydrofuran and added to the activated catalyst. On completion (TLC; approximately 3 hours) the solvent was evaporated in vacuo and purified over silica gel using 10% methanol in chloroform as eluant to provide 0.33g (79%) of white waxy solid: mp 42°-45° C.;  α! D   25  -13.0° (c= 0.3, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3079 (br), 3004, 2919, 1739, 1681, 1658, 738, 721;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3  δ 6.43-6.36 (m, 1H), 5.49-5.31 (m, 2H), 5.05-4.91 (m, 1H), 4.77 (dd, J=3.5, 7.8 Hz, 1H), 2.24-1.62 (m, 6H), 1.51 (dd, J=1.7, 6.9 Hz, 3H), 1.44-1.24 (m, 24H), 0.87 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 25  H 42  O 4  (M + ) 406.3083, found 406.3083. 
     (S)-3,4-Dihydroxy-5- (Z)-3-octadecenyl!-2(5H)-furanone. To a 100 mL round bottom flask was added, under nitrogen, 0.2 g (0.49 mmol) (S)-4-hydroxy-5- (Z)-3-octadecenyl!-3- (E)-propenyloxy!-2(5H)-furanone was dissolved in 60 mL of 50% aqueous acetic acid. The solution was heated at reflux (oil bath) for 15 minutes, cooled, and the aqueous acetic acid removed in vacuo. The residue was purified over silica gel using 12% methanol in chloroform as eluant to give 0.17 g (95%) of white waxy solid: mp 64°-66°C.;  α! D   25  -9.9° (c=0.5, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3421 (br), 2917, 2850, 1754, 1668, 719;  1  H NMR (D 3  COCD 3 ) δ 5.49-5.28 (m, 2H), 4.67 (dd, J=3.4, 7.8 Hz, 1H), 2.32- 1.88 (m, 4H), 1.69-1.51 (m, 2H), 1.44-1.25 (m, 24H), 0.87 (t, J=6.7 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 22  H 38  O 4  (M + ) 366.2770, found 366.2780; analysis calculated for C 22  H 38  O 4  +0.33 H 2  O: C, 70.93; H, 10.46; Found: C, 70.73; H, 10.31. 
     EXAMPLE 4 
     Methyl (2R, 5Z)-2-(2-Allyloxy) acetyloxy-5-eicosenoate was prepared as for the S-isomer from methyl (2R,5Z)-2-hydroxy-5-eicosenoate (as prepared as Example D) in similar yield:  α! D   25  6.4° (C=1.4, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3006, 2921, 1756, 721;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3  δ 6.01-5.86 (m, 1H), 5.51-5.24 (m, 4H), 5.10 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 1H), 4.22 (d, J=16.6 Hz, 1H), 4.23 (d, J=16.6 Hz, 1H), 4.13 (dt, J=1.1, 5.7 Hz, 2H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 2.26-2.12 (m, 2H), 2.07-1.87 (m, 4H), 1.42-1.28 (m, 24H), 0.88 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 26  H 46  O 5  (M + )  438.3345, found 438.3347. 
     (R)-3-Allyloxy-4-hydroxy-5- (Z)-3-octadecenyl!-2(5H)-furanone was prepared as for the S-isomer from methyl (2R, 5Z)-2-(2-allyloxy) acetyloxy-5-eicosenoate in similar yield: mp 49°-53° C.;  α! D   25  8.9° (c=0.8, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3079 (br), 3002, 2915, 1741, 1654, 734, 719;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 6.04-5.89 (m, 1H), 5.47-5.15 (m, 4H), 4.72 (dd, J=3.5, 7.6 Hz, 1H), 4.48 (dt, J=1.1, 5.9 Hz, 2H), 2.21-1.54 (m, 6H), 1.45-1.28 (m, 24H), 0.87 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 25  H 42  O 4  (M + ), 406.3083 found 406.3094. 
     (R)-4-Hydroxy-5- (Z)-3-octadecenyl!-3- (E)-propenyloxy!-2(5H)-furanone was prepared as for the S-isomer from (R)-3-Allyloxy -4-hydroxy-5- (Z)-3-octadecenyl!-2(5H)-furanone in similar yield: mp 42°-45° C.;  α! D   25  12.8° (C=0.3, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3079 (br), 3004, 2919, 1739, 1681, 1658, 738, 721;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 6.43-6.36 (m, 1H), 5.49-5.31 (m, 2H), 5.05-4.91 (m, 1H), 4.77 (dd, J=3.5, 7.8 Hz, 1H), 2.24-1.62 (m, 6H), 1.51 (dd, J=1.7, 6.9 Hz, 3H), 1.44-1.24 (m, 24H), 0.87 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 25  H 42  O 4  (M + ) 406.3083, found 406, 3076. 
     (R)-3,4-Dihydroxy-5- (Z)-3-octadecenyl!-2(5H)-furanone was prepared as for the S-isomer from (R)-4-hydroxy-5- (Z)-3-octadecenyl!-3-  (E)-propenyloxy!-2 (5H)-furanone in similar yield: mp 65°-67° C.;  α! D   25  9.5° (c=0.5, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3421 (br), 2917, 2850, 1754, 1666, 734, 719;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 5.49-5.28 (m, 2H), 4.67 (dd, J=3.4, 7.8 Hz, 1H), 2.32-1.88 (m, 4H), 1.69-1.51 (m, 2H), 1.44-1.25 (m, 24H), 0.87 (t, J=6.7 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 22  H 38  O 4  (M + ), 366.2770 found 366.2780; analysis calculated for C 22  H 38  O 4  +0.33 H 2  O: C, 70.93; H, 10.46: Found: C, 70.53; H, 10.25. 
     EXAMPLE 5 
     Methyl (2S,5Z)-2-(2-Benzyloxy)acetyloxy-5-eicosenoate. To a two-necked, flame-dried 100 mL round bottom flask was added, under argon, 0.275 g (0.81 mmol) of methyl (2S,5Z)-2-hydroxy-5-eicosenoate in 40 mL of anhydrous CH 2  Cl 2  and 0.20 g (1.09 mmol) of benzyoxyacetyl chloride. The solution was cooled to 0° C. (ice-salt bath), and pyridine (0.086 g, 1.09 mmol) was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at 0° C., warmed to room temperature, and stirred for an additional 8 hours. The reaction was quenched with 10 mL of ice-water. CH 2  Cl 2  (20 mL) was added, and the mixture stirred for 6 hours. The CH 2  Cl 2  layer was washed with 3×20 mL 10% aqueous HCl solution, 3×15 mL of saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, 2×25 mL of brine, dried (Na 2  SO 4 ) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified over silica gel using ethyl acetate:hexanes (1:5) as eluant to yield 0.34 g (87%) of white solid:  α! D   25  -5.4° (c=0.5, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3006 (br), 2923, 1756, 1455, 734, 698;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 7.40-7.26  (m, 5H), 5.48-5.22 (m, 2H), 5.12 (t, J=16.7 Hz, 1H); 4.17 (d, J=16.7 Hz, 1H), 3.76 (s, 3H), 2.20-1.87 (m, 6H), 1.49-1.21 (m, 24H), 0.88 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 30  H 48  O 5  (M + ), 488.3501, found 488.3501. 
     (S)-3-Benzyloxy-4-hydroxy-5- (Z)-3-octadecenyl!-2(5H)-furanone. To a flame-dried, three-necked 100 mL flask equipped with a low temperature thermometer was added, under argon, 0.302 g (1.87 mmol) of hexamethyldisilazide in 25 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. The solution was cooled to -25° C. and 1.17 mL of 1.6 M n-BuLi (1.87 mmol) in hexanes was added dropwise with stirring while maintaining the temperature below -15° C. The reaction was held between -3° C. and -5° C. for 45 minutes, cooled to -78° C., and 0.434 g (0.89 mmol) of methyl (2S,5Z)-2-hydroxy-5-eicosenoate, (benzyloxy) acetate in 8 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise. The reaction was stirred for 2 hours and quenched at -78° C. with 10 mL of cooled 10% aqueous HCl solution. Ether (15 mL) was added, and the mixture was warmed to room temperature and extracted with 3×50 mL of ether. The organic layers were washed with 3×25 mL of brine, dried (Na 2  SO 4 ) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified over silica gel using 10% methanol in chloroform as eluant to furnish 0.34 g (84%) of white solid: mp 76°-79° C.;  α! D   25  -13.8° (c=0.3, CH 3  OH); IR (KBr, cm -1 ) 3033 (br), 3004, 2917, 1739, 1660, 1402, 1342, 738, 728, 696;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 7.43-7.29 (m, 5H), 5.48-5.27 (m, 2H), 5.06 (d, J=11.3 Hz, 1H), 5.01 (d, J=11.3 Hz, 1H); 4.69 (dd, J=3.5, 7.6 Hz, 1H), 2.28-1.51 (m, 6H), 1.42-1.27 (m, 24H), 0.86 (t, J= 6.7 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 29  H 44  O 4  (M + ), 456.3239; analysis calculated for C 29  H 44  O 4  +0.2 H 2  O: C, 75.68; H, 9.72; Found: C, 75.57; H, 9.68. 
     (S)-3,4-Dihydroxy-5-octadecyl-2(5H)-furanone. To a 250 mL hydrogenation bottle was added 0.02 g of 10% palladium on carbon in 5 mL methanol. To this suspension was added 0.1 g (0. 219 mmol) of (S)-3-benzyloxy-4-hydroxy-5-  (Z)-3-octadecenyl!-2(5H)-furanone dissolved in 15 mL methanol. Hydrogenation was initiated at 40 psi and at room temperature. The reaction was monitored for completion by TLC (approximately 5-6 hours), filtered (Celite) and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified over silica gel using 10% methanol in chloroform as eluant to generate 58 mg (72%) of white solid: mp 110°-112° C.;  α! D   25  -6.8° (c=0.3, CH 3  OH); IR (KBr, cm -1 ) 3380 (br), 2917, 2848, 1741, 1668;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 4.67 (dd, J=3.5, 7.3 Hz, 1H), 2.01-1.88 (m, 1H), 1.57-1.47 (m, 1H), 1..42-1.23 (m, 322), 0.87 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 22  H 40  O 4  (M + ), 368.2927, found 368.2928; analysis calculated for C 22  H 40  O 4  +0.5 H 2  O: C, 69.99; H, 10.95; Found: C, 70.27; H, 11.22. 
     EXAMPLE 6 
     Methyl (2R, 5Z)-2-(2-Benzyloxy)acetyloxy-5-eicosenoate was prepared as for the S-isomer from methyl (2R,5Z)-2-hydroxy-5-eicosenoate in similar yield:  α! D   25  5.2° (c=0.5, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3006, 2923, 1756, 1455, 734, 698;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 7.40-7.26 (m, 5H), 5.48-5.22 (m, 2H), 5.12 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 1H); 4.66 (s, 2H), 4.25 (d, J=16.7 Hz, 1H); 4.17 (d, J=16.7 Hz, 1H), 3.76 (s, 3H), 2.20-1.87 (m, 6H), 1.49-1.21 (m, 24H), 0.88 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 30  H 48  O 5  (M + ), 488.3501, found 488.3501. 
     (R)-3-Benzyloxy-4-hydroxy-5- (Z)-3-octadecenyl!-2(5H)-furanone was prepared as for the S-isomer from methyl (2R, 5Z)-2-(2-benzyloxy)acetyloxy-5-eicosenoate in similar yield: mp 76°-79° C.  α! D   25  13.5° (c=0.5, CH 3  OH); IR (KBr, cm -1 ) 3033 (br), 3004, 2917, 1739, 1660, 1400, 1342, 738, 730; 696;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 7.43-7.29 (m, 5H), 5.48-5.27 (m, 2H), 5.06 (d, J=11.3 Hz, 1H); 5.01 (d, J=11.3 Hz, 1H); 4.67 (dd, J=3.5, 7.6 Hz, 1H), 2.28-1.51 (m, 6H), 1.42-1.27 (m, 24H), 0.86 (t, J=6.7 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 29  H 44  O 4  (M + ), 456.3239, found 456.3243. 
     (R)-3,4-Dihydroxy-5- 3-octadecyl!-2(5H)-furanone was prepared as for the S-isomer from (R)-3-benzyloxy-4-hydroxy-5-  Z)-3-octadecenyl!-2(5H)-furanone in similar yield: mp 114°-117° C.;  α! D   25  5.2° (c=0.2, CH 3  OH); IR (KBr, cm -1 ) 3411(br), 2917, 2848, 1754, 1668;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 4.67 (dd, J=3.5, 7.3 Hz, 1H), 2.01-1.88 (m, 1H), 1.57-1.47 (m, 1H), 1.42-1.23 (m, 32H), 0.87 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 22  H 40  O 4  (M + ), 368.2927, found 368.2927; analysis calculated for C 22  H 40  O 4  +0.5 H 2  O: C, 69.99; H, 10.95; Found C: 69.71; H, 11.09. 
     EXAMPLE 7 
     Methyl (S)-3-phenyllactate. In a 250 mL round bottom flask fitted with a reflux condenser, 3.0 g (18.07 mmol) of S-phenyllactic acid in 225 mL of methanol containing 4 drops of concentrated sulfuric acid was heated at reflux for 7 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled, 0.6 g of sodium bicarbonate was added, and the methanol was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was taken up in 200 mL of ether, and the ether layer was washed with 2×75 mL of water, 2×100 mL of saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and 2×75 mL of brine, dried (Na 2  SO 4 ) and evaporated under reduced pressure to provide 3.12 g of crude product which was purified over silica gel using ethyl acetate:hexanes (1:5) to furnish 2.92 g (90%) of white crystalline solid: mp 46°-47° C., IR (KBr, cm -1 ) 3473 (br), 3029, 2954, 1739, 1496, 1454;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ  7.34-7.19 (m, 5H), 4.50-4.43 (m, 1H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 3.14 (dd, J=4.4, 13.9 Hz, 1H); 2.96 (dd, J=6.8, 13.9 Hz, 1H), 2.72 (d, J=6.2 Hz, 1H); HRMS calculated for C 10  H 12  O 3  (M + ), 180.0786, found 180.0786. 
     Methyl (S)-2-(2-Benzyloxy)acetyloxy-3-phenyllactate. To a two-necked, flame-dried 250 mL round bottom flask, under argon, was added 2.92 g (16.2 mmol) of methyl (S) 3-phenyllactate in 80 mL of anhydrous CH 2  Cl 2 . Benzyloxyacetyl chloride (4.49 g, 24.33 mmol) was added with stirring and the solution was cooled to 0° C. in an ice-salt bath. Pyridine (1.93 g, 24.33 mmol) was added dropwise and reaction contents were stirred for 30 minutes at 0° C., warmed to room temperature, and stirred for an additional 3 hours. The reaction was quenched with 40 mL of ice-water and 75 mL of CH 2  Cl 2  was added. Following stirring overnight the Ch 2  Cl 2  layer was washed with 3×75 mL of 10% aqueous HCl solution, 3×100 mL of saturated sodium bicarbonate under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified over silica gel using ethyl acetate:hexanes (1:5) to yield 4.68 g (88%) of white crystalline solid: mp 51°-52° C.,  α! D   25  -14.3° (c=2.4, CH 3  OH); IR (KBr, cm -1 ) 2948, 2886, 1766, 1745, 1455, 1434;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 7.36-7.19 (m, 10H), 5.36 (dd, J=4.5, 8.7 Hz, 1H); 4.57 (s, 2H), 4.19 (d, J=16.7 Hz, 1H); 4.09 (d, J=16.7 Hz, 1H), 3.74 (s, 3H), 3.23 (dd, J=4.5, 14.3 Hz, 1H), 3.11 (dd, J=8.7, 14.3 Hz, 1H); HRMS calculated for C 19  H 20  O 5  (M + ), 328.1311, found 328.1269. 
     (S)-5-Benzyl-3-benzyloxy-4-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone. To a flame-dried three-necked argon-purged 100 mL flask equipped with a low temperature thermometer was added 2.38 g (14.73 mmol) of hexamethyldisilazide in 35 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. The solution was cooled to -25° C., and 5.9 mL of a 2.5 M n-BuLi (14.73 mmol) solution in hexanes was added dropwise while maintaining the temperature below -15° C. Following the addition, the reaction was stirred and held between -3° and -5° C. for 45 minutes and cooled to -78° C. Methyl (S)-2-(2-benzyloxy) acetyloxy-3-phenyllactate (2.3 g, 7.01 mmol) in 10 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise. The reaction was stirred for 75 minutes and quenched at -78° C. with 25 mL of precooled 10% aqueous HCl solution. After warming to room temperature, the aqueous layer was extracted with 3×80 mL of ether and the combined organic layers washed with 3×100 mL of brine and dried (Na 2  SO 4 ). The ether was evaporated under reduced pressure to provide 1.98 g of crude white solid which was recrystallized using ether/petroleum ether to give 1.82 g (85%) of white crystalline solid: mp 181°-182° C.;  α! D   25  -57.1° (c=0.9, CH 3  OH); IR (KBr, cm -1 ) 3031 (br), 2719, 1743, 1662, 1454;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 7.34 -7.29 (m, 5H), 7.29-7.21 (m, 5H), 4.96 (dd, J=3.7, 6.5 Hz, 1H), 4.87 (d, 18.2 Hz, 1H), 4.79 (d, J=18.2 Hz, 1H), 3.26 (dd, J =3.7, 14.5 Hz, 1H), 2.88 (dd, J=6.5, 14.5 Hz, 1H);  13  C NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 169.0, 160.2, 138.2, 136.4, 130.6 (2C), 129.2 (2C), 129.1 (2C), 129.0 (2C), 128.8, 127.6, 121.9, 76.0, 73.6, 38.6; HRMS calculated for C 18  H 16  O 4  (M + ), 296.1048, found 296.1045; analysis calculated for C 18  H 16  O 4  : C, 72.96; H, 5.44; Found C: 72.59; H, 5.53. 
     (S)-5-Benzyl-3,4-dihydroxy-2(5H)-furanone. In a 250 mL argon-flushed hydrogenation bottle was suspended 0.2 g of palladium on 10% carbon in 10 mL methanol. To this suspension was added 2.0 g (6.76 mmol) of (S)-5-benzyl-3-benzyloxy-4-hydroxy-2 (5H)-furanone and 25 mL methanol. The mixture was shaken at room temperature under hydrogen (35 psi) and monitored by TLC (about 5-6 hours). After filtration (Celite pad) the filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure, and the residue was purified by recrystallization from acetone/hexanes to furnish 1.25 g (90%) of a white crystalline solid: mp 142°-144° C.;  α! D   25  -40.2° (c=2.1, CH 3  OH); IR (KBr, cm -1 ) 3334 (br), 1762, 1681, 1455, 1319;  1  H NMR (CD 2  COCD 3 ) δ 7.28 -7.21 (m, 5H), 4.93 (dd, J=3.5, 6.7 Hz, 1 H), 3.29 (dd, J=3.5, 14.5 Hz, 1H), 2.88 (dd, J=6.5, 14.5 Hz, 1H); HRMS calculated for C 11  H 10  O 4  (M + ), 206.0579, found 206.0583; analysis calculated for C 11  H 10  O 4  : C, 64.08; H, 4.82; Found C: 63.99; H, 4.89. 
     EXAMPLE 8 
     Methyl (R)-3-phenyllactate was prepared in similar yield as for the corresponding S-isomer from (R)-phenyllactic acid: mp 47° C.; IR (KBr, cm -1 ) 3479 (br), 3029, 2954, 1739, 1496, 1454;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3  δ 7.34-7.19 (m, 5H), 4.50-4.43 (m, 1H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.14 (dd, J=4.3, 13.9 Hz, 1H), 2.97 (dd, J=6.8, 13.9 Hz, 1H), 2.72 (d, J=6.2 Hz, 1H); HRMS calculated for C 10  H 12  O 3  (M + ), 180.0786, found 180.0795. 
     Methyl (R)-2-(2-Benzyloxy)acetyloxy-3-phenyllactate was prepared in similar yield as for the corresponding S-isomer from (R)-3-phenyllactate: mp 49°-50° C.;  α D   25  14.7° (c=0.4, CH 3  OH); IR (KBr, cm -1 ) 2948, 2886, 1766, 1745, 1455, 1434,  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 7.35-7.19 (m, 10H), 5.36 (dd, J=4.5, 8.7 Hz, 1H), 4.57 (s, 2H), 4.19 (d, J=16.7 Hz, 1H), 4.09 (d, J=16.7 Hz, 1H), 3.74 (s, 3H), 3.23 (dd, J =4.5, 14.3 Hz, 1H), 3.11 (dd, J=8.7, 14.3 Hz, 1H); HRMS calculated for C 19  H 20  O 5  (M + ), 328.1311, found 328.1303. 
     (R)-5-Benzyl-3-benzyloxy-4-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone was prepared in similar yield as for (S)-5-benzyl-3-benzyloxy-4-hydroxy-2 (5H)-furanone from methyl (R)-2-(2-benzyloxy) acetyloxy-3-phenyllactate: mp 182°-183° C.;  α! D   25  57.8° (C=0.4, CH 3  OH); IR (KBr, cm -1 ) 3029 (br), 2717, 1743, 1660, 1454,  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 7.34-7.29 (m, 5H), 7.29-7.21 (m, 5H), 4.96 (dd, J=3.7, 6.5 Hz, 1H), 4.86 (d, 18.4 Hz, 1H), 4.79 (d, J=18.4 Hz, 1H), 3.26 (dd, J =2.7, 14.4 Hz, 1H), 2.88 (dd, J=6.5, 14.4 Hz, 1H); HRMS calculated for C 18  H 16  O 4  (M + ) δ 296.1048, found 296.1045. 
     (R)-5-Benzyl-3,4-dihydroxy-2(5H)-furanone was prepared in similar yield as for the corresponding S-isomer from (R)-5-benzyl-3-benzyloxy-4-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone: mp 142°-144° C.;  α! D   25  40.8° (c=0.8, CH 3  OH); IR (KBr, cm -1 ) 3336 (br), 1762, 1679, 1455, 1319;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 7.28-7.22  (m, 5), 4.93 (dd, J=3.6, 6.7 Hz, 1H), 3.29 (dd, J=3.6, 14.5 Hz, 1H), 2.88 (dd, J=6.7, 14.5 Hz, 1H); HRMS calculated for C 11  H 10  O 4  : C, 64.08; H, 4.82. Found: C, 63.93, H, 4.86. 
     EXAMPLE 9 
     (S)-5-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-one. In a 500 mL flame-dried round bottom flask fitted with a septum and under argon was placed 11.0 g (63.2 mmol) of the dioxolanate of (S)-malic acid (prepared by reaction of commercially available (S)-malic acid with excess dimethoxypropane and p-toluenesulfonic acid as a catalyst) dissolved in 200 mL anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. The reaction was cooled (-20° C. to -30° C.) and 70 mL of 1 M borane-tetrahydrofuran complex was added dropwise over 2 h. Following addition the reaction vessel was placed in a refrigerator at 4° C. for 11 h, warmed to room temperature, stirred at room temperature for 9 h and chromatographed (silica gel) using acetone as eluant. Following evaporation under reduced pressure, the residue was chromatographed as before to generate 9.1 g (90%) of the alcohol as a colorless unstable liquid which was dried under reduced pressure and utilized as such in the next reaction: IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3480  (br), 2994, 2940, 2888, 1791, 1220;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 4.58 (dd, J=5.1, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 3.91-3.79 (m, 2H), 2.28-2.13 (m, 1H), 2.13-1.97 (m, 1H), 1.64 (s, 3H), 1.57 (s, 3H). 
     (S)-5-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-one p-toluenesulfonate. Dried (S)-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-one (9.0 g, 59.2 mmol) was dissolved in 100 mL of anhydrous pyridine under argon and cooled to -4° C. To this solution maintained at approximately 0° C. was added dropwise 11.3 g (59.22 mmol) of p-toluenesulfonyl chloride dissolved in 100 mL of pyridine. Following addition, the mixture was placed in the refrigerator (0°-4° C.) overnight. Water (150 mL) was added, and the aqueous mixture extracted with 4×200 mL of ether. The ether layers were combined, washed with 3 ×150 mL of water, 3×150 mL of saturated copper sulfate solution (until no dark blue color remained), 2×100 mL of water, 3×150 mL of brine, dried (Na 2  SO 4 ), filtered, and evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude tosylate was purified by column chromatography using ethyl acetate:hexanes (1:1) to provide the title compound, 16.7 g (95%) as white solid: mp 48°-49° C.;  α! D   25  -3.7° (c=0.3, CH 3  OH); IR (KBr, cm -1 ) 2989, 1785, 1390, 1357, 1278  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 7.80 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 2H), 7.36 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 2H), 4.43 (dd, J=4.4, 8.1 Hz,  1H), 4.27-4.14 (m, 2H), 2.46 (s, 3H), 2.3-2.17 (m, 1H), 2.09-1.92 (m, 1H), 1.58 (s, 3H), 1.51 (s, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 14  H 18  O 6  S (M + ), 314.0824, found 314.0817. 
     (S)-5-Hexyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-one. To a flame-dried 500 mL three-necked round bottom flask under nitrogen containing a suspension of 4.85 g (25.48 mmol) of cuprous iodide in 200 mL of anhydrous ether and held at -30° C. was added dropwise 31.85 mL of 1.6 M n-BuLi (50.96 mmol) in hexanes. The dark red-brown solution was stirred at -30° C. to -40° C. for 2 h and cooled to -78° C. (S)-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-one p-toluenesulfonate (4.0 g, 12.74 mmol), dissolved in 30 mL of anhydrous ether and 10 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran, was added dropwise while maintaining the temperature below -70° C. The reaction mixture was stirred for 18 h at -78° C. Following completion (TLC monitoring), the reaction was warmed to -10° C. and quenched by the addition of 125  mL of precooled saturated ammonium chloride solution. Ether (100 mL) was added and the mixture filtered over Celite. The aqueous phase was extracted with 3×175 mL ether. The combined ether extract was washed with 2×125 mL of saturated ammonium chloride solution, 1×75 mL of water and 2×100 mL of brine, dried (Na 2  SO 4 ), filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The product was purified (silica gel) using ethyl acetate:hexanes (1:5) as eluant to give 2.44 g (95%) of the title compound as a colorless oil:  α! D   25  0.6° (c=1.9, CH 3  OH); IR (KBr, cm -1 ) 2958, 2933, 2861, 1797;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 4.39 (dd, J=4.4, 7.1 Hz, 1H), 1.95-1.81 (m, 1H), 1.81-1.62 (m, 1H), 1.61 (s, 3H), 1.54 (s, 3H), 1.49-1.38 (m, 2H), 1.35-1.29 (m, 6H), 0.89 (t, J =6.6  13  C NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 173.3, 110.2, 74.2, 31.7, 31.6, 28.8, 25.8, 24.8, 22.5, 13.9; HRMS calculated for C 11  H 20  O 3  (M + ), 200.1412, found 200.1422. 
     Methyl (s)-2-hydroxyoctanoate. In a 250 mL round bottom flask fitted with a reflux condenser was placed 2.4 g (12 mmol) of (S)-5-hexyl-2,2-dimethyl-i, 3-dioxolan-4-one in 150 mL of methanol containing 2 drops of concentrated sulfuric acid. Following heating at reflux for 6 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled, and 0.5 g of sodium bicarbonate was added. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue dissolved in 200 mL of CH 2  Cl 2 . The solution was washed with 2×75 mL of water, 2×100 mL of saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, and 2×75 mL of brine, and dried (Na 2  SO 4 ). The CH 2  Cl 2  solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to provide 2.07 g of crude product which was purified over silica gel using ethyl acetate:hexanes (1:5) to furnish 2.0 g (96%) of the title compound as a pale yellow oil:  α! D   25  2.9°  (c=0.8, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3475 (br), 2925, 2857, 1739;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 4.19 (m, 1H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 2.73 (d, J=4.8 Hz, 1H), 1.89-1.75 (m, 1H), 1.72-1.56 (m, 1H), 1.55-1.39 (m, 2H), 1.39-1.28 (m,6H), 0.88 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 19  H 18  O 3  (M + ), 174.1255, found 174.1255. 
     Methyl (S)-2-(2-benzyloxy)acetyloxyoctanoate. In a two-necked, flame-dried 250 mL round bottom flask, under argon, was added 4.28 g (25.0 mmol) of methyl (S)-2-hydroxyoctanoate in 100 mL of anhydrous CH 2  Cl 2 . Benzyloxyacetyl chloride (6.82; 36.9 mmol) was added and the mixture was cooled to 0° C. in an ice-salt bath. Pyridine (2.92 g, 36.9 mmol) was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at 0° C., warmed to room temperature, stirred for an additional 3 hours, and quenched with 30 mL of ice-water. An additional 50 mL of CH 2  Cl 2  was added. Following stirring overnight, the CH 2  Cl 2  layer was separated and extracted with 3×50 mL of 10% aqueous HCl solution, 3×75 mL of saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, and 2×100 mL of brine, dried (Na 2  SO 4 ) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified over silica gel ethyl acetate :hexanes (1:6) as eluant to give 6.7 g (88%) of the title compound as a pale yellow liquid:  α! D   25  -10.9° (c=0.3, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 2927, 2859, 1735, 1455; 1438;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 7.36-7.29 (m, 5H), 5.11 (t, J=6.5 Hz, 1H), 4.66 (s, 2H), 4.23 (d, J=16.7 Hz, 1H), 4.17 (2, J=16.7 Hz, 1H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 1.87-1.72 (m, 2H), 1.42-1.15 (m, 8H), 0.87 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 18  H 26  O 5  (M + ), 322.1780, found 322.1760. 
     (S)-3-Benzyloxy-5-hexyl-1-4-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone. In a flame-dried three-necked argon purged 100 mL flask equipped with a low temperature thermometer was added 2.1 g (13.04 mmol) of hexamethyldisilazide in 35 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. Following cooling to -25° C., 5.3 mL of a 2.5 M n-Buli in hexanes (13.04 mmol) was added dropwise and with stirring while maintaining the temperature below -15° C. The mixture was stirred and held between -3° C. and -5° C. for 45 minutes and cooled to -78° C. Methyl (S)-2-(2-benzyloxyl)acetyloxyoctanoate (2.0 g; 6.21 mmol) in 10 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise. The reaction was stirred for 75 minutes and quenched at -78° C. with 30 mL of precooled 10% aqueous HCl solution. After warming to room temperature the product was extracted with 3×80 mL of ether, and the organic layer was washed with 3×100 mL brine, dried (Na 2  SO 4 ) and evaporated under reduced pressure to give 1.65 g of crude white product which was recrystallized using ether/petroleum ether to furnish 1.53 g (85%) of white crystals: mp 74°-75° C.;  α! D   25  -18.9° (c=2.0, CH 3  OH); IR (KBr, cm -1 ) 3035 (br), 2950, 2921, 1735, 1646, 1465;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 7.43-7.29 (m, 5H), 5.06 (d, 16.1 Hz, 1H), 5.01 (d, J=16.1 Hz, 1H), 4.69 (dd, J=3.7, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 1.90-1.82 (m, 1H), 1.61-1.45 (m, 1H), 1.38-1.15 (m, 8H), 0.87 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 3H);  13  C NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 171.6, 169.4, 161.2, 138.3, 129.2 (2C), 129.1 (2C),  128.9, 120.9, 75.9, 73.4, 32.6, 32.4, 24.4, 23.2, 14.3; HRMS calculated for C 17  H 22  O 4  (M + ), 290.1518; found 290.1538; analysis calculated for C 17  H 22  O 4  C 70.36, H 7.50; found C 70.32, H 7.64. 
     (S)-5-Hexyl-3,4-dihydroxy-2 (5H)-furanone. In a two-necked 100 mL round bottom flask was added, under argon, 0.7 g (2.41 mmol) of (S)-3-benzyloxy-4-hydroxy-3 (5H)-furanone, 0.7 g of 10% Pd/C, and 4.96 g (660.35 mmol) of cyclohexene in 50 mL of absolute ethanol. The mixture was stirred and heated at reflux, filtered (Celite) and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The residue was recrystallized from acetone/hexanes to provide 0.362 g (75%) of white solid: mp 100°-101° C.;  α! D   25  -14.1° (c=0.4, CH 3  OH); IR (KBr, cm -1 ) 3426 (br), 2921, 1766, 1662;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 4.56 (dd, J=3.4, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 1.98-1.84 (m, 1H), 1.57-1.43 (m, 1H), 1.42-1.22 (m, 8H), 0.90 (t, J =6.7 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 10  H 16  O 4  (M + ), 200.1049; found 200.1049; analysis calculated for C 10  H 16  O 4  : C 60.05, H 8.05. 
     EXAMPLE 10 
     (R)-5-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-one was prepared in similar yield as for the corresponding S-isomer from the dioxolanate of (S)-malic acid: IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3453 (br), 2994, 2940, 2888, 1791, 1220;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 4.58 (dd, J=5.1, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 3.91-3.79 (m, H), 2.28-2.13 (m, 1H), 2.12-1.97 (m, 1H), 1.64 (s, 3H), 1.57 (s, 3H). 
     (R)-5-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-one p-toluenesulfonate was prepared in similar yield for the corresponding S-isomer from (R)-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-one: mp 52°-53° C.;  α! D   25  3.8° (c=1.1, CH 3  OH); IR (KBr, cm -1 ) 2992, 1785, 1388, 1357, 1278;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 7.80 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 2H), 7.36 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 2H), 4.43 (dd, J=4.4, 8.1 Hz, 1H), 4.27-4.14 (m, 2H), 2.46 (s, 3H), 2.30-2.18 (m, 1H), 2.09-1.93 (m, 1H), 1.58 (s, 3H), 1.51 (s, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 14  H 18  O 6  S (M + ), 314.0824; found 314.0830. 
     (R)-5-Hexyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-one was prepared in similar yield as for the corresponding S-isomer from (R)-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-one:  α! D   25  -2.9° (c=1.3, CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 2958, 2931, 2859, 1793;  1  H NMR (CD 3  Cl 3 ) δ 4.39 (dd, J=4.4, 7.1 Hz, 1H), 1.95-3.81 (m, 1H), 1.81-1.62 (m, 1H), 1.61 (s, 3H), 1.54 (s, 3H), 1.49-1.38 (m, 2H), 1.24-1.28 (m, 6H), 0.89 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 11  H 20  O 3  (M + ), 200.1412; found 200.1431. 
     Methyl (R)-2-hydroxyoctanoate was prepared in similar yield as for the corresponding S-isomer from (R)-5-hexyl-2,2-hexyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-one:  α! D   25  2.7° (c =0.3 CH 3  OH); IR (neat, cm -1 ) 3496 (br), 2929, 2859, 1749;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 4.19 (m, 1H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 2.73 (d, J=4.8 Hz, 1H), 1.89-1.75 (m, 1H), 1.72-1.57 (m, 1H), 1.55-21. 39 (m, 2H), 1.39-1.28 (m, 6H), 0.88 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 9  H 18  O 3  (M + ), 174.1255; found 174.1256. 
     Methyl (R)-2-(2-benzyloxy) acetyloxy was prepared in similar yield as for the corresponding S-isomer from methyl (R)-2-hydroxyoctanoate:  α! D   25  10.8.° (c=1.1, CH 3  OH); IR (KBr, cm -1 ) 2925, 2857, 1733, 1455, 1436;  1  H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 7.36-7.29 (m, 5H), 5.10 (t, J=6.5 Hz, 1H), 4.65 (s, 2H), 4.23 (d, J=16.7 Hz, 1H), 4.17 (d, J=16.7 Hz, 1H), 3.74 (s, 3H), 1.87-1.72 (m, 2H), 1.42-1.15 (m, 8H), 0.87 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 18  H 26  O 5  (M + ), 322.1780; found 322.1782. 
     (R)-3 -Benzyloxy-5-hexyl-4-hydroxy-2 (5H)-furanone was prepared in similar yield as for the corresponding S-isomer from methyl (R)-2-(2-benzyloxy) acetyloxyoctanoate: mp 86°-87° C.;  α! D   25  18.8° (c=0.9, CH 3  OH); IR (KBr, cm -1 ) 3035 (br), 2950, 2921, 1735; 1646; 1465;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 7.43-7.29 (m, 5H), 5.07 (d, 16.2, 1H), 5.01 (d, J=16.2, 1H), 4.69 (dd, J=3.7, 7.0, 1H), 1.90-1.82 (m, 1H), 1.61-1.45 (m, 1H), 1.61-1.45 (m, 1H), 1.38-1.15 (m, 8H), 0.87 (t, J=6.7 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 17  H 22  O 4  (M + ), 290.1518, found 290.1505. 
     (R)-5-Hexyl-3,4-dihydroxy-2(5H)-furanone was prepared in similar yield as for the corresponding S-isomer from (R)-3-benzyloxy-5-hexyl-4-hydroxy-2 (5H)-furanone: mp 98°-99° C.;  α! D   25  14.2° (c=1.9, CH 3  OH); IR (KBr, cm -1 ) 3423 (br), 2921, 1768, 1660;  1  H NMR (CD 3  COCD 3 ) δ 4.57 (dd, J=3.4, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 1.98-1.84 (m, 1H), 1.57-1.43 (m, 1H), 1.42-1.22 (m, 8H), 0.90 (t, J=6.7 Hz, 3H); HRMS calculated for C 10  H 16  O 4  (M + ), 200.1049; found 200.1049.