Stereoselective Synthesis of Bisfuranoxide (Aurochrome, Auroxanthin) and Monofuranoxide (Equinenone 5',8'-Epoxide) Carotenoids by Double Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons Reaction.

The stereoselective synthesis of C-all--carotenoids with the formal hexahydrobenzofuran skeletons aurochrome, auroxanthin, and equinenone-5',8'-epoxide is reported. The synthesis is based on a one-pot or stepwise double Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) reaction of a terminal enantiopure C-5,6-epoxycyclohexadienylphosphonate and a central C-trienedial. The ring expansion of the epoxycyclohexadienylphosphonate, generated by a Stille cross-coupling reaction, to the hexahydrobenzofuran skeleton was promoted by the reaction conditions of the HWE reaction prior to double-bond formation.

Synthesis of labile all-trans-7,8,7',8'-bis-acetylenic carotenoids by bi-directional Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons condensation.

A new stereoselective synthesis of the C40-bis-acetylenic carotenoids all-trans-(3R,3'R)-alloxanthin and all-trans-3,4,7,8,3',4',7',8'-octadehydro-β,β-carotene, both compounds featuring a stereochemically labile C7-C10 enyne, based on a bi-directional Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) reaction of a C15-phosphonate and a central C10-dialdehyde, is reported. The triene unit of the latter fragment was synthesized using the acyclic metathesis/dimerization reaction.