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.