Short Synthesis of Enantiopure C₂-Symmetric 1,2:4,5-Diepoxypentane and “Pseudo”-C₂-Symmetric 3-Azido-1,2:4,5-diepoxypentane from Arabitol

On the basis of our previously described selective protection of arabitol as its 1,2:4,5-bis-pentylidene acetal 5, we report a straightforward synthesis of the novel “pseudo”-C₂-symmetric 3-azido-1,2:4,5-diepoxypentane building block 4 in 6 steps from arabitol. Using a similar synthetic route, an improved synthesis of the C₂-symmetrical 1,2:4,5-bis-epoxypentane building block 1 is described, also in 6 steps from arabitol. Both enantiomers of 1 and 4 are accessible, and all reactions involved are easily amenable for large-scale synthesis.