The Baylis-Hillman Reaction: One-Pot Stereoselective Synthesis of Methyl (2E)-3-Aryl-2-hydroxymethylprop-2-enoates

A facile, simple and one-pot conversion of methyl 3-aryl-3-hydroxy-2-methylenepropanoates into methyl (2E)-3-aryl-2-hydroxymethylprop-2-enoates via the sequential treatment with acetic anhydride/trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf) and potassium carbonate/methanol is described.