11 12"(a) LiAlH,, Et, O;(b) Me, SiCl, NaI;(c) Zn/Cu, ether;(d) 2 (1 equiv). to the 18-dimethylene functionality have been rep~ rted.~ Typically, we have found the diethyl ester DEAD to give slightly higher yields in the hydride reduction step (vide infra). Cycloaddition of DEAD (2) with 1, 3-butadiene, followed by LiAlH4 reduction, yielded the known diol 4. e This was converted to diiodide 5 with Me3SiI, or Me3SiC1/NaI, following the procedure of Olah.'The ...