The 1,4 addition of the anion of allylphenylthioether to 3,3-dimethylacrylonitrile occurred in 76% at the α position to the sulfur. The allylic alcohol obtained from thioether was asymetrically epoxidised with the Katsuki-Sharpless procedure to [4S,5R] epoxyalcohol (ee > 94%). The silyl ether was cyclised to the cis and trans nitrile . Cleavage of the glycol gave the cis and trans-aldehyde . Later was converted to [1R,3R] trans chrysanthemic nitrile (ee 92%).
