Facile Synthesis of (E)-4-Aryl-2-Methyl-3-Butenoic Acids and Their Methyl Esters by the Condensation of Tiglic Acid Dianion with Arynes

Abstract
The condensation of various arynes with tiglic acid dianion yields (E)-4-aryl-2-methyl-3-butenoic acids exclusively, after proton quench. These acids were characterized as their methyl esters, which were prepared by treating the acids with diazomethane.