An Efficient and Stereocontrolled Syntheses of (±)-Methyl Epijasmonate and (±)-Cucurbic Acid

The total synthesis of epijasmonoids, (±)-methyl epijasmonate and (±)-cucurbic acid, starting from norbornene was described, where a key intermediate, 5β-hydroxy-2β-methoxycarbonylmethylcyclopentane 1β-acetic acid γ-lactone was efficiently prepared via a highly regioselective Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of 7-syn-substituted norbornanone based on remote substituent control.