The preparation of a number of 4-phenyl isochromanes as well as the deutera
ted analogs is described using a simple strategy starting from easily obtai
ned acetals. The diasteresoselectivity and the enantioselectivity of the ad
opted approach are both good. The deuterated analogs are prepared using tri
butyltin deuteride or triethyl deuterosilane. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley
& Sons, Ltd.