Nick Greeves

Applications of the stereochemically-controlled Horner-Wittig reaction: synthesis of feniculin, (E)-non-6-en-1-ol, a pheromone of the mediterranean fruit fly, (E)- and (Z)-dec-5-en-1-ol, tri-substituted alkenes, and (Z)-α-bisabolene

Stereoselective reduction of the appropriate α-diphenylphosphinoyl ketone or addition of the lithium derivative of an alkyl diphenylphosphine oxide to an aldehyde or a ketone gives Horner-Wittig intermediates and hence the title compounds.