Starting from D-mannitol, eight β,γ-unsaturated sulfones with different substitution
patterns have been synthesised. Reaction of these sulfones with different bases led
to 1-hydroxymethyl-4-phenylsulfonylbuta-1,3-dienes with excellent stereocontrol. The
stereoselectivity of this reaction is explained and an abbreviated reaction course
is proposed that justifies the results obtained.
sulfone - diene - stereoselectivity - synthesis