Iodine (1.3 eq.) was added to triphenylphosiphine (1.3 eq.) and imidazole (1.3 eq.) in DCM (7 mL/mmol) at 0 °C. The resulting mixture was stirred at r.t. for 5 min, then was cooled to °C. A solution of alcohol (1.0 eq.) in DCM (3 mL/mmol) was added to the reaction mixture at 0 °C and the resulting mixture was stirred at r.t. for 3 h. TLC analysis (50% ethyl acetate in heptane) showed complete conversion of the starting material. The reaction was quenched with saturated NaHCO 3 solution and saturated Na 2 SO 3 solution and the aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phase was evaporated to dryness. The crude material was purified by column chromatography (from 20 to 75% of ethyl acetate in heptane) to afford the desired compound.