Synthesis of 9Z-9-substituted retinoic acids by palladium catalyzed coupling reaction of a vinyl triflate with alkenyl stannanes.

Palladium catalyzed cross coupling reactions of a vinyl triflate intermediate and various alkenyl stannanes afforded trisubstituted Z-olefins stereoselectively in high yields. These olefins were then converted to the corresponding 9Z-retinoic acids via Horner-Emmons reaction and subsequent basic hydrolysis in excellent yields.