Am Efficient Synthetic Route to Chiral $\beta$-hydroxy-$\delta$-Lactone Moiety of Compactin

A new synthetic sequence for the chiral lactone moiety of compactin was developed from $\alpha$-D-glucose in 9 steps via simultaneous reductive detosylation and epoxide-ring opening of 2, 3-epoxy-4-tosylate using NaBH_4$ to afford 2, 4-dideoxy sugar as a key intermediate.