Synthesis of trans-3,4-dibenzyl-2-oxo-tetrahydrofuran

Trans-3,4-dibenzyl-2-oxo-tetrahydrofuran (6) a substituted tetrahydrofuranoid lignan was synthesized in 70% yield via the Stobbe condensation between (1) benzaldehyde  and (2) diethyl succinate. The structure was confirmed by the spectral data such as infra-red, proton magnetic resonance and mass spectrum. It has two similar but non equivalent aromatic groups which appeared at δ: 6.48 - 6.76 and 7.06 - 7.25 as multiplets.   Key words: Lignans, tetrahydrofuranoid, Stobbe.