An (E)-selective synthesis of trisubstituted (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated acid derivatives.

Potassium alkoxides of N-acyloxazolidin-2-one derived syn-aldolates undergo a novel tandem intramolecular cyclisation elimination reaction to afford trisubstituted (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated amides in high d.e., which may be converted into their corresponding acids or oxazolines in good yield.