Synthesis of the butterfly compound (E,E)-10-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyldeca-2,6-dienoic acid

Abstract

The title compound was synthesized by alkylation of the dianion of methyl acetoacetate, and lithium dimethylcuprate addition to the enol phosphate of the alkylated β-keto esters (2) and (6) to produce the tri-substituted αβ-unsaturated esters (4) and (7) in a stereoselective manner.