(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-Eicosatetraenoic (arachidonic) acid and its precursor,
5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid, were synthesized by the polyacetylen
e approach using the cross coupling of propargyl iodides and highly re
active organometallic complexes of terminal acetylenic synthons formed
in situ.