Synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted (E,Z)-1,3-dienes from lithium dicyclohexyl(trans-1-alkenyl)(1-alkynyl)borates

Treatment of lithium dicyclohexyl(trans-1-alkenyl)(1-alkynyl)borates with either boron trifluoride etherate or tri-n-butyltin chloride results in the preferential migration of the alkenyl group from boron to the adjacent alkynyl carbon atom. Protonolysis of the resultant organoboron intermediates with acetic acid affords the corresponding 1,4-disubstituted (E,Z)-1,3-dienes in good yields, provided that the (Z)-alkenyl moiety of the diene does not contain a tertiary alkyl group. Demonstration that this novel procedure is applicable for the preparation of (E,Z)-1,3-dienes containing functional groups has been shown by the synthesis in 66% yield of methyl (10E, 12Z)-hexadecadienoate, a precursor via lithium aluminium hydride reduction of the sex pheromone of the female silk moth, Bombyx mori.