The Meinwald reaction of alkyl propionates. Synthesis of the C1–C9 fragment of aurisides

The C1–C9 northern fragment of aurisides was prepared in eight steps and 41% overall yield starting from Griecoʹs bicyclic lactone . The synthesis features a key stereoselective Meinwald reaction of the lithium enolate of alkyl propionate with the functionalized δ-lactone .