Synthesis of the E‐ and Z‐isomers of the potent mutagen (S)‐fecapentaene‐12 by the Horner‐Wittig reaction

Abstract
A synthesis of the E‐ and Z‐isomers of optically pure (S)‐fecapentaene‐12 is described. The method is based on the chromatographic separation of diastereomeric adducts, formed as intermediates in the Horner‐Wittig reaction of an all‐trans undecatetraenal with a chiral phosphine oxide.