A Convenient Conversion of Terminal Alkenes into Homologous Unsaturated and Doubly Unsaturated Esters

Unsaturated and doubly unsaturated esters have been synthesized in two steps by the application of a radical xanthate transfer process of a simple methylsulfoxide starting material to a range of terminal alkenes. syn-Elimination of the sulfoxide gives alpha,beta-unsaturated esters, which coupled with a xanthate elimination yields alpha,beta,gamma,delta-unsaturated esters.