Synthesis of farnesol isomers via a modified wittig procedure

Abstract

(Chemical Equation Presented) The four olefin stereoisomers of farnesol have been synthesized from readily available nerylacetone or commercial geranylacetone. A new variation on the use of β-oxido ylides favored the (2Z)-stereoisomers, whereas the (2E)-isomers were obtained through a classical Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons condensation with triethyl phosphonoacetate and reduction of the resulting ester. © 2005 American Chemical Society.