Prenyl and geranyl phenyl sulfone, a new carbon nucleophile for Mitsunobu-type alkylation

Cyanomethylenetrimethylphosphorane (CMMP), a new Mitsunobu reagent developed recently by the authors, mediated the alkylation of prenyl and geranyl phenyl sulfone with primary and secondary alcohols quite efficiently. Utilizing geranyl phenyl sulfone, norfaranal, an analog of the unique trail pheromone produced by Pharaohʹs ant, was synthesized in a short number of steps.