Temporary phosphate tethers: a metathesis strategy to differentiated polyol subunits.

Studies probing reactivity and selectivity of cross metathesis (CM) with an exocyclic olefin in a P-chiral bicyclo[4.3.1]phosphate triester are described. Studies have revealed a Type III CM reactivity pattern for the exocyclic olefin within this phosphate triester. This versatile method allows for simple, selective manipulation of a P-chiral building block en route to advanced polyol subunits.