A highly diastereoselective synthesis of the taxane potential precurso
r 16 is achieved. An unexpected diastereoselectivity was observed upon
condensation of the alpha-trimethylsilyloxyaldehydes 9a or 9b with th
e cyclohexenyllithium 10. The single diol isomers 13A and 14A exhibiti
ng the required 1 beta,2 alpha relative configuration are obtained in
good yields. (C) 1996 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.