Total synthesis of (±)-divanillyltetrahydrofuran ferulate

A convenient method for the synthesis of sesquilignan threo- and erythro-(±)-divanillyltetrahydrofuran ferulate is described. The synthesis was based on a unified synthetic strategy involving two Stobbe condensations to give the skeleton of lignan, and then reduction reaction to form meso- and threo-(±)-secoisolanciresinol. meso- and threo-(±)-secoisolanciresinol were separated by flash column chromatography, followed by intramolecular reaction with TsCl to afford the key intermediate meso- or threo-(±)-shonanin, then condensation with ferulaic acid to obtain sesquilignan threo- or its analogue erythro-(±)-divanillyltetrahydrofuran ferulate.