Alkoxy group facilitated ring closing metathesis (RCM) of acyclic 1,6-dienes. Convenient synthesis of non-racemic highly substituted cyclopentenols

Alkoxymethyl groups at the C-5 allylic position of 1,6-dienols have been found to accelerate RCM reactions significantly with the Grubbs’ catalyst PhCHRu(PCy3)2Cl2. This phenomenon has been used for direct access to highly substituted cyclopentenols, potential intermediates in the synthesis of carbovir, abacavir and BCA.