“…1 h). The crude diene acetal aldehyde [e.g., from 16A: NMR 9.44 (s, 1 H), 6.88 (d, 1 H, J = 5.5 Hz), 6.28 (s, broad, 1 H), 5.47 ppm (m, 1 H)] was treated with a trace of p-toluenesulfonic acid in acetone/water (20/1,10 mL) for 2 h. After neutralization (K2CO3), the solvent was evaporated and the residue extracted with ether. After drying and evaporation of the ether phase, the residue was chromatographed (S1O2 column, 12 g; hexane/ethyl acetate, 7/3).…”