The reduction of alpha -substituted-beta -ketoam ides with either NaBH(4)or
Zn(BH4)(2) yielded the respective beta -hydroxyamides in different diaster
eomeric ratios. Selenocyclofunctionalization of these compounds yielded the
corresponding tetrahydrofurans in good yields and the ratio of the diaster
eomers were determined by Se-77 NMR.