Synthesis of phytosphingosine using olefin cross-metathesis: a convenient access to chain-modified phytosphingosines from d-lyxose

This work establishes a general protocol for synthesizing phytosphingosines with various lengths of lipid chains. The synthetic strategy included the Wittig reaction and olefin cross-metathesis as key steps. Combining these two C–C bond formation methods provide rapid access to adequately protected phytosphingosine backbones.