Synthesis of stereodefined polysubstituted olefins. 1. Sequential intermolecular reactions involving selective, stepwise insertion of Pd(0) into allylic and vinylic halide bonds. The stereoselective synthesis of disubstituted olefins.

Palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution and cross-coupling reactions have been combined into a sequential procedure to provide a range of disubstituted olefin products starting from two-, three-, and four-carbon common olefin templates. Diverse application of this template strategy is demonstrated in a variety of model studies and in a parallel synthesis (combinatorial) approach to prepare an allylic amine molecular library. An approach toward the preparation of astaxanthin beta-D-diglucoside, an interesting antioxidant whose total synthesis has yet to be reported, using the olefin-template approach is also discussed.