UA40533 CNRS,[. aborat; Jire de St'llll1t § Se Orgauiquc. liistitut (fitrie. F-ection dc Biologic. Ueittnz iiniveixsitairc, lliitimeiits l IO-ll2. l-'-91405 () rsay. France 2-t3-Lithio~ 2-methoxy-4~ pyi" i-Jyi)-4.4-dimethyl~ I!-oxztrntiac (8) vvas cui-densed with aromatic altleliydes. Subsequent liydroly sis gin e the corre-sponding laetones I0. Rediiction by 2iIIlH1Ul '. itlCU. l zinc or\." liLll_\" llC hydrogenation of these eoiiipoimcls over palladium yielded 3»- ...