# Stereoselective Synthesis of (R)-all-trans-13,14-Dihydroretinol and -Retinoic Acid

## TL;DR

Scientists developed a new way to make specific vitamin A metabolites, which could help study their roles in the body.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a stereoselective synthesis method for two vitamin A metabolites using specific chemical reactions.

## Key findings

- A stereoselective synthesis of (R)-all-trans-13,14-dihydroretinol was successfully achieved.
- The synthesis of (R)-all-trans-13,14-dihydroretinoic acid was also accomplished using key catalytic reactions.
- The method uses E-selective HWE olefination and Ru(II)-catalyzed hydrosilylation as critical steps.

## Abstract

Vitamin A (or all-trans-retinol) metabolites
are
involved in a wide range of cellular processes. However, the investigation
of their biological role is hampered due to their very limited availability.
Herein we report a stereoselective total synthesis of the vitamin
A metabolites (R)-all-trans-13,14-dihydroretinol
and -retinoic acid, applying an E-selective HWE olefination
and a Ru(II) catalyzed intramolecular 7-endo-dig hydrosilylation as the key steps.