Simple Synthesis of Climacostol,a Defensive Secretion by the Ciliate Climacostomum virens

Climacostol {1,3-dihydroxy-5-[(Z)-2'-nonenyl]benzene,1}, a defensive secretion by the protozoan ciliate Climacostomum virens against predators, was synthesized in a 43% overall yield in three steps by starting from methyl 1,3-bis(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy) phenylacetate (3).