Aldehydes undergo a rapid coupling with 3-buten-1-ol utilizing 20 mol% of niobium(V) chloride to afford 4-chlorotetrahydropyran derivatives under extremely mild conditions within short reaction times in excellent yields with high selectivity. The similar halogenated tetrahydropyrans are also obtained using gallium(III) halides.
Prins-cyclization - niobium(V) chloride - gallium(III) halides - halogenated tetrahydropyrans