Facile Stereoselective Syntheses of (E)- and (Z)-α-Substituted Cinnamates by Stereoselective Dehydration Reaction with 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC).

Abstract Highly stereoselective syntheses of ( E )- and ( Z )-α-substituted c innamates have been achieved by dehydration reaction of anti - and syn -α-substituted-β-hydroxyphenylpropionates with EDC in good yields. This facile method has been applied to the stereoselective syntheses of ( E )- and ( Z )-α-alkylidene-γ-butyrolactones.