Double bond isomerization from C2-C3 to C3-C4 in cy,-@-unsaturated ester 5b was achieved by treatment with lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) 6 in tetrahydrofuran and hexamethylphosphoric triamide (9: l) at-78" C. Removal of the THP units with 65% aqueous acetic acid produced in 26% yield from 5b the desired 16-phenoxy-17, 18, 19, 20-tetranor-3, 4-didehydroprostaglandin F1, methyl ester (71, which was a 1: l mixture of C3-C4 cis and ...