Formation of 4-Hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal (5-Hydroxycitral) from 3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-octadienal (Citral) and its Biological Activity against Sarcoma 180
(E)‐Trisubstituted allylicalcohols are commonly prepared from the corresponding (E)‐enals, themselves readily accessible by a simple aldol condensation reaction. We demonstrate that these very same (E)‐enals can be converted into (Z)‐trisubstituted allylic acetates (and thus alcohols) by a ruthenium‐catalyzed 1,4‐hydrogenation of the corresponding dienol acetates. This simple solution to a long‐lasting