THE ENOL ETHER SYNTHESIS OF POLYENES

Convenient methods for the preparation of 1-alkoxydienes are reviewed. It is shown that 1-alkoxydienes are very reactive and can be successfully used for the synthesis of polyene compounds. These include some important natural products, such as polyene aldehydes, vitamin A aldehyde, the ethers and esters of vitamin A, β-ionolidenacetaldehyde, β-C19-aldehyde and other related compounds. A convenient method of synthesis of polyene dialdehydes, dicarboxylic acids and their derivatives is described. These compounds can be used for the synthesis of carotenoids.