One-pot Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reactions are used to synthesize α,β-enones with two configurationally independent stereogenic centers. These intermediates are used for the construction of polyketide and monosaccaride fragments. In particular, novel approaches to the branched pentoses mycarose and arcanose are described
polyketides - enones - carbonyl reduction - hydroboration - mycarose - arcanose