Stereocontrolled First Total Syntheses of Salmoxanthin and Deepoxysalmoxanthin

The first total syntheses of salmoxanthin and deepoxysalmoxanthin were accomplished by stereoselective Wittig reaction of a C15-tri-n-butylphosphonium salt bearing a 3,6-dihydroxy-ε-end group with the corresponding C25- apocarotenals. The 3,6-dihydroxy-ε-end moiety was constructed by chemo- and stereoselective reduction of the γ- hydroxy-α,β-cyclohexenone derivative.