Simple and efficient syntheses, catalysed by a mixed Lewis acid system (ZrCl(4)/ZnI(2)), of enantiomerically pure 2- and 2,3-disubstituted furan derivatives--including important synthons such as 3-iodofuran and 3-(hydroxymethyl)furan derivatives--from commercially available 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-D-glucal are described. The transformation is achieved through a synergistic interaction between ZrCl(4) and ZnI(2) in catalytic amounts.