[reaction: see text] The protected precursor 30 to dolabriferol was generated by a DBU-induced, ester-forming, retro-Claisen process. The required linear carbon chain present in 22 was synthesized by a stereoselective lithium aldol reaction. The necessary aldehyde and ketone fragments were synthesized using stereocontrolled aldol reactions with the ethyl (S)-lactate derived ketone 13.