Alkynediols were transformed to the corresponding spiroacetals by the
sequence of hydroboration with disiamylborane, oxidation of the result
ing alkenylboron intermediate with alkaline hydrogen peroxide, and cat
alytic treatment with p-TsOH. By this transformation, 6-(2-hydroxymeth
yl)phenyl-3-methyl-5-hexyn-1-ol was converted to -3,2'-[4']methyl[3',4
',5',6']tetrahydro-2'H-pyran] as a single diastereomer.