Abstract: | A formal synthesis of (±)-mitsugashiwalactone ( 1 ) and (±)-isodihydro nepetalactone ( 2 ) was accomplished. Baeyer-Villiger lactonization of ketone 9 followed by acidic treatment led to the rearranged lactone 8 , which underwent a series of functional group transformations to give cyclopentanone derivatives 19 and 20 . Shapiro reaction on 21 and 22 in the presence of excess dry ice gave lactones 5 and 6 . Lactones 5 and 6 previously have been converted to mitsugashiwalactone ( 1 ) and isodihydronepetalactone ( 2 ), respectively. |