A Shortened Synthesis of Optically Pure Tricarbonyl[methyl (2E,4E)-6-oxo-2,4-hexadienoate]Iron Leading to Improved Yield

The (+)and (–)-enantiomers of tricarbonyl[methyl (2E,4E)-6-oxo-2,4-hexadienoate]iron are prepared in 4 steps from commercially available hexadienal (26% and 25% yields, respectively).