Versatile synthesis of alicyclic and acyclic compounds with alternate and remote C-methyl substitution patterns via asymmetric sequential olefination and ene reactions

Abstract Treatment of enantiomerically pure alkyl cyclohexane ethylidene derivatives with 2,3-di-O-benzyl D-and L-glyceraldehyde and related aldehydes in the presence of Lewis acids leads to enantiomerically pure or enriched branched alkylcyclohexenes. These can be oxidized to acyclic motifs with a predetermined C-methyl substitution pattern.