The enantioselective synthesis of jasmine ketolactone 1, which was isolated as a component of Italian jasmine oil, and its epimer 2 is described. Lactones 1 and 2 were synthesized in 5 and 4 steps, respectively, by Yamaguchi's macrolactonization method from alcohol 4.
Keywords: Jasminum grandiflorum L.; jasmine ketolactone; macrolactonization; potato tuberization.