Highly stereoselective synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted ( E, E )-penta-2,4-dienals

A condensation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes with O-protected 4-hydroxybutanal N-(tert-butyl)-imine has been exemplified for the first time using (E)-cinnamic and (E)-4-methoxycinnamic aldehydes. (E,E)-2,5-Disubstituted penta-2,4-dienals, which are key intermediates in the synthesis of strobilurins A and X, were prepared in good yields and close to 100% stereoselectivity.