Synthetic applications of Baylis-Hillman chemistry: an efficient and solely stereoselective synthesis of (E)-alpha-methylcinnamic acids and potent hypolipidemic agent LK-903 from unmodified Baylis-Hillman adducts

An efficient and solely stereoselective synthesis of (E)-alpha-methylcinnamic acids has been accomplished in single pot by reduction of the unmodified Baylis-Hillman adducts, methyl-3-hydroxy-3-aryl-2-methylenepropanoates with I(2)/NaBH(4) reagent system at room temperature followed by hydrolysis. The efficacy of this method has been proved in the total synthesis of 1-p-(myristyloxy)-alpha-methylcinnamoyl]glycerol, LK-903, a highly active hypolipidemic agent.