Of regiospecific synthesis of terephthalates

A method for the synthesis of a compound of formula (I):

• wherein R and R1 are individually selected from H, alkyl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl or cycloalkylalkyl comprising:
• reacting a coumalate compound of formula (II):
• optionally in the presence of a solvent, with a captodative alkene of formula (III), (IV) or (V):
• wherein R2 is —OR, —SR, halo (F, Cl, Br, I), (R)2N, RC(O)— or —O[Si(Ra)(Rb)(Rc)] wherein each of Ra, Rb or Rc are individually selected from (C1-C6)alkyl, and wherein X and Y are individually R or R′, or together are —(CH2)n—, wherein n is 2-3 and —(CH2)n— is optionally substituted with R, so as to yield a compound of formula (I).