Scope and stereochemistry of an olefin synthesis from β-hydroxysulphones

The synthesis of olefins from β-acyloxy-sulphones by reduction with sodium amalgam in methanol–ethyl acetate can be applied to the preparation of a wide variety of conjugated dienes. When used for the synthesis of 1,2-disubstituted olefins in which the new double bond is either isolated or conjugated, the reaction is highly stereoselective, and leads to the trans-isomers.