Alkenylzinc-mediated approach to the vitamin D skeleton. Application to the synthesis of 6-methyl analogs of vitamin and previtamin D

There has been much research aimed at developing nontoxic vitamin D derivatives to be used in the treatement of hyperproliferative diseases, although there is a need for more practical and flexible approaches. A new approach based on the conjugated triene system of vitamin D and applied to the synthesis of 3-deoxy-1alpha- and 1beta hydroxyvitamin D3 is described. The method has potential for the synthesis of thermally labile derivatives.