Facile stereoselective syntheses of goniodiol, 8-epi-goniodiol and 9-deoxygoniopypyrone

Stereoselective syntheses of the bio-active styryllactones goniodiol and 9-deoxygoniopypyrone were accomplished from d-(−)-tartaric acid. The key step involves the elaboration of a γ-hydroxy butyramide to the styryllactones via high yielding stereoselective transformations.