A general synthesis of optically active gamma-butyrolactone autoregulators is developed by a two-step sequence to assemble 2,3-trans-disubstituted butyrolactones in high yields and enantioselectivities; the scope of this reaction was elaborated by setting up a library of alkyl-substituted butyrolactones and the synthesis of the autoregulators IM-2 and VB-D.