A Stereoselective Synthesis of (±)-cis-γ-Irone

(±)-cis-γ-Irone( 1 ), a main constitutent of natural iris oil, has been stereoselectively synthesized from methyl (2E)-3 -[(2,2,4-trimethyl-3-cyclohexen-1-yl)methoxy]-2-propenoate (3) (6 steps, overall yield 14%). The cis-configuration as the exocyclic position of the double bond of 1 were secured by the thermal ene reaction of the β-(alkenyloxy)acrylate 3 yielding the 3-oxabicyclo [3,3,1] nonane derivative 5 .