Abstract: Stereoselective synthesis of alkylidene butenolides was achieved from (2Z, 4E)- dienoic acids by a sequence involving halocyclisation and elimination reactions. Selectivity was found to be highly dependent on the nature of the substituents. This methodology has been applied to the synthesis of a retinoid containing the alkylidene butenolide core. Key words: halolactonisation, elimination reaction, dienoic acids, butenolides, g-alkylidene ...
