Synthesis of (sulfonyl)methylphosphonate analogs of prenyl diphosphates

Syntheses of several (sulfonyl)methylphosphonate analogs of geranyl, neryl, and farnesyl diphosphates are described. Key steps include utilization of an (E)-selective Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons olefination which couples an aldehyde to the sulfone phosphonate moiety, and a selective reduction of the resulting dienyl sulfone phosphonate substrates.