The 5-step synthesis of (+/-)-shikimic acid has been achieved in 55% overall yield from (1E,3E)-4-acetoxy-1-phenyldimethylsilyl-1,3-butadiene, starting with its Diels-Alder reaction with 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl acrylate and featuring the use of Fleming's one-pot procedure for the conversion of the phenyldimethylsilyl group to the hydroxyl as the salient, pivotal step in the synthesis.
Peer Reviewed
http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/28968/1/0000805.pdf