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 α,β-unsaturated esters, which coupled with a xanthate elimination yields α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated esters.