Synthesis of Z-and E-Asarone

Stereoselective synthesis of asarone by the reaction of 2, 4, 5-trimethoxy benzalde-hyde and the appropriate Grignard or Wittig reagent under different conditions was deseri-bed. In the approach with Grignard reaction, the major product was α-(E-) asarone, whilethe major product was either α-(E-) or β-(Z-) asarone in the Wittig approach depending onthe reaction conditions.