Reductive opening of glycal derived highly functionalized 2,3-epoxy-1-iodides with zinc dust: an efficient method for the synthesis of acyclic long chain polyhydroxylated terminal alkenic alcohols

The synthesis of densely functionalized acyclic long chain terminal alkenic alcohols was achieved by reductive opening of glycal derived 2,3-epoxy-1-iodides, with commercial zinc dust alone in a short reaction time with excellent yields involving a simple reaction procedure and easy work-up. A mechanism involving an organometallic intermediate is proposed.