Total synthesis of verbalactone: an efficient, carbohydrate-based approach

A carbohydrate-based strategy for the total synthesis of verbalactone has been described. (3R,5R)-3,5-dihydroxydecanoic acid was dimerised under Yamaguchi conditions to provide verbalactone in an overall yield of 17% starting from 3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidine-α-d-glucofuranose.