Abstract: Two strategies for the synthesis of 12-methyl-9-oxa-14-tetradecanolide (8), a powerful new musk odorant, are reported, starting from 8-bromooctanoic acid (9) and 1, 6- dibromohexane (12), respectively. Insight into the structure–odor relationship of macrocyclic musks is provided by the preparation of seven related methyl-and dimethyl-substituted oxamacrolides. Finally, a stereoselective synthesis of (12R)-(–)-12-methyl-9-oxa-14- ...