Synthesis of (Z)-predominant α,β-unsaturated nitriles from enone cyanohydrin diethyl phosphates: application to the synthesis of (±)-nuciferal, (±)-(E)- and -(Z)-nuciferol, and (±)-manicone

Enone cyanohydrin diethyl phosphates reacted regio- and stereo-selectively with a variety of organocopper reagents to give γ-coupling products, (Z)-predominant alk-2-enenitriles. The methodology was applied to the synthesis of (±)-nuciferal, (±)-(E)- and -(Z)-nuciferol, and (±)-manicone.