Tandem cross-metathesis/hydrogenation: application to an enantioselective synthesis of pentadecyl 6-hydroxydodecanoate

The synthesis of pentadecyl 6-hydroxydodecanoate, a component isolated from the leaves of Artabotrys odoratissimus, has been achieved through a tandem cross-metathesis/hydrogenation sequence. The enantioselective synthesis required first the preparation of a homoallylic alcohol obtained by a free-metal allyl transfer from a camphor derivative to heptanal.