Syntheses of the Enantiomers of γ-Cyclogeranic Acid, γ-Cyclocitral,and γ-Damascone: Enantioselective protonation of enolates

(R)-and (S)-γ-cyclogeranic acid ((R)-and (S)- 9 , resp.) were obtained by resolution of the racemate, and their absolute configurations determined by chemical correlation. The γ-acids (R)-and (S)- 9 were converted into (R)-and (S)-methyl γ-cyclogeranate ((R)-and (S)- 6 , resp.), and (R)-and (S)-γ-damascone ((R)-and (S)- 5 , resp.). A more direct entry to (R)-and (S)- 9 consisted in the enantioselective protonation of a thiol ester enolate with (?)- or (γ)-N-isopropylephedrine((?)- or (γ)- 20 ) and subsequent hydrolysis of the (R)-and (S)-S-phenyl γ-thiocyclogeranate ((R)- and (S)- 24 , resp.; 97% ee). The esters (R)- and (S)- 24 were also used as precursors of (R)- and (S)-γ-damascone ((R)- and (S)- 5 , resp.). Alternatively, (S)- 5 (75% ee) was obtained by enantioselective protonation of ketone enolate 29 with (?)-N-isopropylephedrine ((?)- 20 ). Organoleptic evaluation demonstrated that the (S)-enantiomers of methyl γ-cyclogeranate and γ-damascone are markedly superior to their (R)-enantiomers.     

Stereochemische Korrelationen zwischen (2R,4′R,8′R)-α-Tocopherol, (25S,26)-Dihydroxycholecalciferol, (–)-(1S,5R)-Frontalin und (–)-(R)-Linalol

Stereochemical Correlations between (2R,4′R,8′R)-α-Tocopherol, (25S,26)-Dihydroxycholecalciferol, (–)-(1S,5R)-Frontalin and (–)-(R)-Linalol The optically active C₅- and C₄-building units 1 and 2 with their hydroxy group at a asymmetric C-atom were transformed to (–)-(1S,5R)-Frontalin ( 7 ) and (–)-(3R)-Linalol ( 8 ) respectively; 1 and 2 had been used earlier in the preparation of the chroman part of (2R,4′R,8′R)-α-Tocopherol ( 6a , vitamin E), and for introduction of the side chain in (25S,26)-Dihydroxycholecalciferol ((25S)- 4 ), a natural metabolite of Vitamin D₃. The stereochemical correlations resulting from these converions fit into a coherent picture with those correlations already known from literature and they confirm our earlier stereochemical assignments. A stereochemical assignment concerning the C(25)-epimers of 25,26-Dihydroxycholecalciferol that was in contrast to our findings and that initiated the conversion of 1 and 2 to 7 resp. 8 for additional stereochemical correlations has been corrected in the meantime by the authors [26].     

Synthèse des (−)-(6R)-et(+)-(6S)-tétrahydro-6-[(Z)-pent-2-ényl]-2H-pyran-2-one,lactones de Jasminum grandiflorum L. et de Polianthes tuberosa L.

Synthesis of (?)-(6R)- and (+)-(6S)-Tetrahydro-6-[(Z)-pent-2-enyl]-2H-Pyran-2-one, lactones from Jasminum grandiflorum L. and from Polianthes tuberosa L. (?)-(2S)-Ethyl 2-hydroxyhexanedioate ((2S)- 2 ) was obtained by kinetic resolution of racemic ethyl 2-hydroxy-hexanedioate with baker's yeast. The key intermediates (+)-(5R)- and (?)-(5S)-ethyl 5,6-epoxyhexanoate ((5R)- and (5S)- 6 , resp.) are proved to be useful synthons for the total synthesis of chiral 6-alkyl-δ-lactones, as exemplified by the preparation of both enantiomers of jasmine lactone ((6R)- and (6S)- 10 , resp.).     

α-Alkylation of Amino Acids without Racemization. Preparation of Either (S)- or (R)-α-Methyldopa from (S)-Alanine

Enantiomerically pure cis- and trans-5-alkyl-1-benzoyl-2-(tert-butyl)-3-methylimidazolidin-4-ones ( 1, 2, 11, 15, 16 ) and trans-2-(tert-butyl)-3-methyl-5-phenylimidazolidin-4-one ( 20 ), readily available from (S)-alanine, (S)-valine, (S)-methionine, and (R)-phenylglycine are deprotonated to chiral enolates (cf. 3, 4, 12, 21 ). Diastereoselective alkylation of these enolates to 5,5-dialkyl- or 5-alkyl-5-arylimidazolidinones ( 5, 6, 9, 10, 13a-d, 17, 18, 22 ) and hydrolysis give α-alkyl-α-amino acids such as (R)- and (S)-α-methyldopa ( 7 and 8a , resp.), (S)-α-methylvaline ( 14 ), and (R)-α-methyl-methionine ( 19 ). The configuration of the products is proved by chemical correlation and by NOE ¹H-NMR measurements (see 23, 24 ). In the overall process, a simple, enantiomerically pure α-amino acid can be α-alkylated with retention or with inversion of configuration through pivaladehyde acetal derivatives. Since no chiral auxiliary is required, the process is coined ‘self-reproduction of a center of chirality’. The method is compared with other α-alkylations of amino acids occurring without racemization. The importance of enantiomerically pure, α-branched α-amino acids as synthetic intermediates and for the preparation of biologically active compounds is discussed.     

Synthesis of (R)- and (S)-5-(Hydroxymethyl)-3-isopropyloxazolidin-2-one,intermediates in the preparation of optically active β-blockers

The (R)- and (S)-5-(hydroxymethyl)-3-isopropyloxazolidin-2-ones, ((R)- and (S)- 2 , resp.), pivotal intermediates in the preparation of optically active β-blockers, were synthesized using (R,E)-2-hydroxypent-3-enenitrile ( 1 ) as the chiral starting material. In the synthesis of (R)- 2 , a known cyclization/inversion step was applied.     

Enzyme-Mediated Preparation of (+)- and (–)-cis-α-Irone and (+)- and (–)-trans-α-Irone

The preparation of (−)- and (+)-trans-α-irone ( 1a and 1b , resp.) and of (+)- and (−)-cis-α-irone ( 1c and 1d , resp.) from commercially available Irone alpha ^® is reported. The relevant step in the synthetic sequence is the initial chromatographic separation of crystalline (±)-4,5-epoxy-4,5-dihydro-cis-α-irone ((±)- 5 ) from oily (±)-4,5-epoxy-4,5-dihydro-trans-α-irone ((±)- 4 ). The latter was subsequently converted, after NaBH₄ reduction, into the crystalline 3,5-dinitrobenzoate ester (±)- 8 , thus allowing a complete separation of the two corresponding diastereoisomeric alcohol derivatives. Suitable enantiomerically pure precursors of the desired products 1a – d were obtained by kinetic resolution of the racemic allylic alcohols derived from (±)- 5 and (±)- 8 , mediated by lipase PS (Amano). The last steps consisted of MnO₂ oxidation and removal of the epoxy moiety with Me₃SiCl/NaI in MeCN. External panel olfactory evaluation showed that (−)-cis-α-irone ( 1d ) has the finest and most distinct `orris butter' character.     

Diastereoselective Electrophilic Amination of Chiral 1‐Benzoyl‐2,3,5,6‐tetrahydro‐3‐methyl‐2‐(1‐methylethyl)pyrimidin‐4(1H)‐one for the Asymmetric Syntheses of α‐Substituted α,β‐Diaminopropanoic Acids

The chiral compounds (R)‐ and (S)‐1‐benzoyl‐2,3,5,6‐tetrahydro‐3‐methyl‐2‐(1‐methylethyl)pyrimidin‐4(1H)‐one ((R)‐ and (S)‐ 1 ), derived from (R)‐ and (S)‐asparagine, respectively, were used as convenient starting materials for the preparation of the enantiomerically pure α‐alkylated (alkyl=Me, Et, Bn) α,β‐diamino acids (R)‐ and (S)‐ 11 – 13 . The chiral lithium enolates of (R)‐ and (S)‐ 1 were first alkylated, and the resulting diasteroisomeric products 5 – 7 were aminated with ‘di(tert‐butyl) azodicarboxylate’ (DBAD), giving rise to the diastereoisomerically pure (≥98%) compounds 8 – 10 . The target compounds (R)‐ and (S)‐ 11 – 13 could then be obtained in good yields and high purities by a hydrolysis/hydrogenolysis/hydrolysis sequence.     

Syntheses of (±)- and Enantiomerically Pure (+)-Longifolene and of (±)- and Enantiomerically Pure (+)-Sativene by an Intramolecular de Mayo Reaction

Starting from 2-cyclopentenoyl chloride ((RS)- or (S)- 8 ), the racemic as well as the enantiomerically pure (+)-sesquiterpenes longifolene ((±)- and (+)- 1 , resp.) and sativene ((±)- and (+)- 2 , resp.) were synthesized efficiently by a sequence of nine and ten steps, respectively. The key sequence 10 → 16 → 3 is the first strategic application of an intramolecular photoaddition/retro-aldolization sequence (intramolecular de Mayo reaction) in organic synthesis.     

Conformation of Peptides Containing a Chiral α‐Ethylated α,α‐Disubstituted α‐Amino Acid: (S)‐α‐Ethylleucine (=(2S)‐2‐Amino‐2‐ethyl‐4‐methylpentanoic Acid) within Sequences of Dimethylglycine and Diethylglycine Residues

An optically active (S)‐α‐ethylleucine ((S)‐αEtLeu) as a chiral α‐ethylated α,α‐disubstituted α‐amino acid was synthesized by means of a chiral acetal auxiliary of (R,R)‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diol. The chiral α‐ethylated α,α‐disubstituted amino acid (S)‐αEtLeu was introduced into the peptides constructed from 2‐aminoisobutyric acid (=dimethylglycine, Aib), and also into the peptide prepared from diethylglycine (Deg). The X‐ray crystallographic analysis revealed that both right‐handed (P) and left‐handed (M) 3₁₀‐helical structures exist in the solid state of CF₃CO‐(Aib)₂‐[(S)‐αEtLeu]‐(Aib)₂‐OEt ( 14 ) and CF₃CO‐[(S)‐αEtLeu]‐(Deg)₄‐OEt ( 18 ), respectively. The IR, CD, and ¹H‐NMR spectra indicated that the dominant conformation of pentapeptides 14 and CF₃CO‐[(S)‐αEtLeu]‐(Aib)₄‐OEt ( 16 ) in solution is a 3₁₀‐helical structure, and that of 18 in solution is a planar C₅ conformation. The conformation of peptides was also studied by molecular‐mechanics calculations.     

(25 S)-1α, 25, 26-Trihydroxycholecalciferol,a New Vitamin D3 Metabolite: Synthesis and Absolute Stereochemistry at C(25)

The 1α, 25, 26-trihydroxy metabolite of vitamin D₃, isolated from bovine serum, was shown to possess the (25 S)-configuration by HPLC. comparison of the 1, 3, 26-triacetate derivative with authentic (25 R)- and (25 S)-samples. The convergent synthesis of (25 R)-1α, 25, 26- and (25 S)-1α, 25, 26-trihydroxycholecalciferols ( 10a ) and ( 10b ) has been accomplished.     

Synthesis,Conformational Properties,and Synthetic Applications of Novel Optically Pure α,α-Disubstituted (R)- and (S)-Glycines (‘α-Chimeras’) Combining Side Chains of Asp,Glu, Leu,Phe, Ser,and Val

A series of novel open-chain and cyclic conformationally constrained α,α-disubstituted (R)- and (S)-glycine derivatives (‘α-chimeras’) combining side chains of Asp, Glu, Leu, Phe, Ser, and Val have been efficiently synthesized by using α-alkylation of racemic 4-monosubstituted 2-phenyl-1,3-oxazol-5(4H)-ones of type 5 , resolution after reaction with (S)-phenylalanine cyclohexylamide ( 8 ) as chiral auxiliary, a novel azlactone/dihydrooxazole interconversion reaction to synthesize optically pure α-substituted (R)- and (S)-serine derivatives coupled with succinimide-ring formation of aspartic-acid derivatives. Based on X-ray structures of (R,S)- 9b , (R,S)- 11c , (R,S)- 18 , and (S,S)- 30 , the absolute configuration of these novel amino-acid building blocks could be unambiguously determined and their preferred conformations in the crystalline state be assessed. The high preference of the open-chain derivatives (R,S)- 1 , (S,S)- 3 , and (R,S)- 11c for β-turn type-I conformations, as well as of the succinimide derivatives (R,S)- 2 , (S,S)- 19 , (S,S)- 24 , (S,S,S)- 26 , and (R,S)- 29 for β-turn type-II conformations and of (S,S)- 4 , (R,S)- 18 , (R,S)- 23 , and (S,S)- 30 for β-turn type-II′ conformations could be confirmed in solution by using CD and NMR spectroscopy. Finally, the spiro derivatives (R,S)- 29 and (S,S)- 30 incorporating the ‘α-chimera’ of Asp/Glu constitute doubly constrained peptide building blocks combining the properties of α-substituted prolines and aspartimides.     

L-Phenylalanine Cyclohexylamide: A simple and convenient auxiliary for the synthesis of optically pure α,α-disubstituted (R)- and (S)-amino acids

This work describes L -phenylalanine cyclohexylamide ( 5c ) as a simple, cheap, and powerful chiral auxiliary for the synthesis of a series of optically pure α,α-disubstituted (R)- and (S)-amino acids of type 1 , such as (R)- and (S)-2-methyl-phenylalanine ( 1a ), (R)- and (S)-2-methyl-2-phenylglycine ( 1b ), and (R)- and (S)-2-methylvaline ( 1c ; Scheme 3). These amino acids were efficiently transformed into the suitably protected and activated amino acid building blocks (R)- and (S)- 12b and (R)- and (S)- 12c (Scheme 4) which are ready for incorporation into peptides by solution or solid-phase techniques. Based on the crystal structures of 6b, 6c , and 7a belonging to the diastereoisomeric peptides series 6 and 7 , the absolute configurations of each member of the series were determined. β-Turn geometries of type II′ and I were observed for 6b and 7a , respectively, whereas 6c crystallized in an extended conformation. The impacts of side-chain variation on conformation and crystal packing of these triamides are discussed.     

Nucleophilic additions to N-glycosylnitrones part IV Asymmetric synthesis of N-hydroxy-α-aminophosphonic and α-aminophosphonic acids

The addition of phosphite anions and of tris(trimethylsilyl) phosphite (P(OSiMe₃)₃) to N-glycosyl-C-arylnitrones was examined. While these nitrones proved inert towards the phosphite anions, they reacted with P(OSiMe₃)₃ under catalysis by Lewis acids. Thus, P(OSiMe₃)₃ reacted with the crystalline (Z)-N-glycosylnitrones 2 and 8 to give the optically active N-hydroxy-α-aminophosphonic acids 4 and 10 , respectively, and hence the α-aminophosphonic acids 5 and 11 in yields up to 92% and with an enantiomeric excess (e.e.) up to 97% (Scheme 1). The absolute configuration of the phosphonates depend upon the nature and – in one case – upon the quantity of the catalyst (Figure). Upon catalysis by HCIO₄ or Zn(OTF)₂, p(OSiMe₃)₃ added to 2 to give, in both cases, the (+)-(R)-phenylphosphaglycine 5 (optical purity 79–84 and 90–93%, resp.). The optical purity (o.p.) was hardly influenced by the amount of these catalysts (0.02-;1 equiv.). However, catalysis by ZnCl₂ gave, with trace quantities of the catalyst, (–)-(S)- 5 (o.p. 79%), while an equimolar amount of ZnCl₂ yielded (+)-(R)- 5 (o.p. 82%). The HClO₄-catalyzed addition of P(OSiMe₃)₃ to the nitrone 14 (Scheme 2) led to (+)-(R)-N-hydroxyphosphavaline 15 (78%) and hence to (–)-(R)-phosphavaline 16 (71% from 14 e.e. 95%). Under conditions leading from the nitrones 2 , 8 , 14 , and 20 (Schemes 1 and 2) predominantly to (R)-α-aminophosphonic acids, the addition of P(OSiMe₃)₃ to nitrone 18 , possessing a benzyloxy substituent as an additional potential ligand for the catalyst, gave (S)-phosphaserine 19 . The addition of P(OSiMe₃)₃ to the nitrone 20 , catalyzed by Zn(OTf)₂, led to (+)-(R)-N-hydroxyphosphamehionine 21 (71%, e.e. 77%) and hence to (–)-(R)-phosphamethionine 22 (77% from 20 , e.e. 79%). Catalysis by trace quantities of ZnCl₂ gave (+)-(S)- 22 (85%, e.e. 61%). The enantiomerically pure aminophosphonic acids 5 , 11 , and 16 were obtained by recrystalliztion. The e.e. of the N-hydroxyaminosphosphonic acids 10 , 15 , and 21 and the aminophosphonic acids 5 , 11 , 16 , and 22 were determined by the HPLC analysis of the dimethyl N-naphthoyl-α-aminophosphonats 7 , 13 , 17 , and 23 , on a chiral stationary phase.     

Chirale Synthesebausteine durch Kolbe-Elektrolyse enantiomerenreiner β-Hydroxy-carbonsäurederivate. (R)- und (S)-Methyl-sowie (R)-Trifluormethyl-γ-butyrolactone und -δ-valerolactone

Chiral Building Blocks for Syntheses by Kolbe Electrolysis of Enantiomerically Pure β-Hydroxybutyric-Acid Derivatives. (R)- and (S)-Methyl-, and (R)-Trifluoromethyl-γ-butyrolactones, and -δ-valerolactones The coupling of chiral, non-racemic R* groups by Kolbe electrolysis of carboxylic acids R*COOH is used to prepare compounds with a 1.4- and 1.5-distance of the functional groups. The suitably protected β-hydroxycarboxylic acids (R)- or (S)-3-hydroxybutyric acid, (R)-4,4,4-trifluoro-3-hydroxybutyric acid (as acetates; see 1 – 6 ), and (S)-malic acid (as (2S,5S)-2-(tert-butyl)-5-oxo-1,3-dioxolan-4-acetic acid; see 7 ) are decarboxylatively dimerized or ‘codimerized’ with 2-methylpropanoic acid, with 4-(formylamino)butyric acid, and with monomethyl malonate and succinate. The products formed are derivatives of (R,R)-1,1,1,6,6,6-hexafluoro-2,5-hexanediol (see 8 ), of (R)-5,5,5-trifluoro-4-hydroxypentanoic acid (see 9,10 ), of (R)- and (S)-5-hydroxyhexanoic acid (see 11 ) and its trifluoro analogue (see 12, 13 ), of (S)-2-hydroxy- and (S,S)-2,5-dihydroxyadipic acid (see 23, 20 ), of (S)-2-hydroxy-4-methylpentanoic acid (‘OH-leucine’, see 21 ), and of (S)-2-hydroxy-6-aminohexanoic acid (‘OH-lysine’, see 22 ). Some of these products are further converted to CH₃- or CF₃-substituted γ- and δ-lactones of (R)- or (S)-configuration ( 14 , 16 – 19 ), or to an enantiomerically pure derivative of (R)-1-hydroxy-2-oxocyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid (see 24 ). Possible uses of these new chiral building blocks for the synthesis of natural products and their CF₃ analogues (brefeldin, sulcatol, zearalenone) are discussed. The olfactory properties of (R)- and (S)-δ-caprolactone ( 18 ) are compared with those of (R)-6,6,6-trifluoro-δ-caprolactone ( 19 ).     

Synthesis and transformations of (±)-trans-4aβ(H), saα(H)-octahydro-4α,7β-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one

Hydrogenation of 4,7-dimethylcoumarin ( 1 ) in alkaline medium has been shown to furnish a mixture of (±)-trans-4aβ(H),8aα(H)-octahydro-4α,7β-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one ( 2 ), (±)-trans-4aβ(H),8aα(H)-octahydro-4α,7α-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one ( 3 ) and (±)-cis-4aα(H),8aα(H)-octahydro-4α,7α-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one ( 4 ) in 40:25:35:ratio, respectively. The stereochemistry of the major hydrogenation product 2 , has been established by transforming it to p-menthane derivatives e.g. (±)-2 (R)-[2′(R)hydroxy-4′(R) methylcyclohex-(1′S)-yl]propan-1-ol ( 20 ) and (±)-trans-3α,6β-dimethyl-3aβ(H),7aα(H)-octahydrobenzofuran ( 12 ). Starting from a mixture of lactones 2, 3 and 4 , lactone 3 has been obtained in pure state employing a sequence of reactions.     

Isolierung von (2S, 4S)-(+)-γ-Hydroxynorvalin und (2S, 4R)-(−)-γ-Hydroxynorvalin aus Boletus satanas Lenz

We have isolated from the carpophores of Boletus satanas Lenz (Basidiomycetae) (2S,4S)-(+)-γ-hydroxynorvaline ( 1 ) and (2S,4R)-(?)-γ-hydroxynorvaline ( 2 ). The chirality of each diastereomer has been determined by chemical synthesis starting from optically active precursors and by application of different chiroptical methods. Gaschromatographic separation of the derived diastereomeric N-[(S)-α-methoxypropionyl]-lactones reveals that the optical purity of natural 2 is 88% whereas 1 exists as a partial racemate: (2S,4S): (2R,4R) = 3:2. Muscarine could not be detected in the carpophores of B. satanas, contrary to some literature data but basic substances of unknown structure are present in low concentration.     

Synthesis and Circular Dichroism of Both Enantiomers of 2-deuterofluoroacetic acid ( Fluoro[2H1]acetic acid)

Sharpless epoxidation of (E)-1-(trimethylsilyl)[1-²H₁]oct-1-en-3-o1 ( 3a ) yielded (1S,2S,3S)- and (1R,2R,3R)-1-(trimethylsilyl)-1,2-epoxy[1-²H₁]octan-3-ols ( 4a and 4b , resp.) which were converted in three steps into (S)- and (R)-fluoro[ ²H₁]acetic acid ( 7a and 7b , resp.) in good yields. Their high isotopic and optical purity was established by ¹H- and ¹⁹F-NMR, mass, and circular-dichroism spectroscopy.     

Synthesen von optisch aktiven Carotinoiden mit einer (R)-4-Hydroxy-β-Endgruppe

Synthesis of Optically Active Carotenoids with (R)-4-Hydroxy β-End Groups We describe the synthesis of optically active iso-β-kryptoxanthin ( 12 ; (R)-β,β-caroten-4-ol), iso-α-kryptoxanthins 14 ((4R,6′RS)-β,ε-caroten-4-ol) and 16 ((4R,6′R)-β,ε-caroten-4-ol), 4′-hydroxyechinenone ( 18 ; (R)-4′-hydroxy-β,β-caroten-4-one), and isorubixanthin ( 20 ; (R)-β,ω,-caroten-4-ol), their 400-MHz-¹H-NMR spectra, CD spectra and HPLC behaviour.     

Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure D- and L-(Heteroaryl)alanines by asymmetric hydrogenation of (Z)-α-amino-αβ-didehydro esters

Homogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation of a wide range of methyl and tert-butyl (Z)-2-(acylamino)-3-(heteroaryl)acrylates (see 1a–f and 2a–d, f, g , resp.) catalyzed by diphosphinerhodium catalysts was studied for the synthesis of enantiomerically pure 3-furyl-, 3-thienyl-, and 3-pyrrolylalanines (see 3a–f , and 4a–d, g ; Scheme 1). The precursors, the (Z)-α-amino-α,β-didehydro esters 1a–f and 2a–d, f, g were prepared in high yields using the phosphorylglycine-ester method (Scheme 1). Isomerically pure (Z)-α-amino-α,β-didehydro esters were required to obtain the highest enantiomeric excesses (ee's) in the asymmetric hydrogenation, and the tert-butyl-ester strategy was beneficial in terms of both getting pure (Z)-α-amino-α,β-didehydro esters and obtaining high ee's in the hydrogenation. Finally, in contrast to the methyl-ester series, deprotection of the tert-butyl esters 4a–d, g was easily performed using CF₃CO₂H without any racemization.     

Totalsynthese von natürlichem α-Tocopherol. 2. Mitteilung. Aufbau der Seitenkette aus (−)-(S)-3-Methyl-γ-butyrolacton

Total Synthesis of Natural α-Tocopherol A short and efficient route to optically pure (+)-(3 R, 7 R)-trimethyldodecanol ( 14 ) is demonstrated, 14 serving as side chain unit in the preparation of natural vitamin E. The synthesis of 14 is based on the concept of using a single optically active C₅-synthon of suitable configuration and functionalization to introduce both asymmetric centres in 14 . (?)-(S)-3-Methyl-γ-butyrolacton ( 1 ) and ethyl (?)-(S)-4-bromo-3-methylbutyrate ( 2 ), respectively, is used in a sequence of either two Grignard C,C-coupling reactions 5 → 8 and 12 → 13 or two Wittig reactions 17a → 18 and 20 → 21 to achieve this goal. 14 is converted to (2 R, 4′R, 8′R)-α-tocopherol (= vitamin E) by coupling with a chroman unit in known manner. Optical purity of products and intermediates is established.