The Syntheses of (R)-(+)-b-Vanillyl-g-butyrolactone and of Chiral Lignans Therefrom

R)-(+)-5-vanillyl-y-butyrolactone was obtained i n 4 steps i n c l uding a resolution, from v a n i l l i n and dimethyl succinate, and was used f o r the t o t a l syntheses o f 5 n a t u r a l l y occurring and o p t i c a l l y a c t i v e lignans such as ( + ) -i s o l a r i c i r e s i n o l 20.W e r e c e n t l y described e f f i c i e n t syntheses of the (R)-(+) and (S)-(-)-lactones 1 and 2, which are