To a solution of 12.5 g (50 mmol) (E,E)4,8,12-trimethyl-trideca-3,7,11-trienoic acid (isomeric purity of 95%) [K. Ishihara et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2002, 124, 3647-3655] in 100 ml MTBE were added at r.t. 8.4 g (50 mmol) (S)-(+)-mandelic acid methyl ester [α]D=+144.9 (c=1.04, MeOH) and 1.5 g DMAP. After stirring for 15 min, 10.5 g (51 mmol) DCC is added, during which the temperature raised to 35° C. The reaction mixture was stirred for 4 h at 35° C., cooled to room temperature and filtered. The resulting solution was concentrated in vacuo to a volume of ca. 50 ml and filtered over 100 g of silicagel. The product was eluted with ca. 600 ml hexane/MTBE 1:1. Concentration of the combined fractions in vacuo and drying of the product in high vacuo (50° C./0.08 Torr) afforded 19.8 g (98%) of (E,E)-4,8,12-Trimethyl-trideca-3,7,11-trienoic acid (S)-methoxycarbonyl-phenyl-methyl ester (2) in form of a colorless oil.
