The first enantioselective synthesis of (3S, 4R, 7S)-(−)-3-hydroxy-7-methoxy-2, 2, 4-trimethyl- decanoic acid 4 in 11 steps and 6% overall yield, starting from commercially available methyl 2, 2-dimethyl-3-hydroxy propionate 5 is described. The stereochemical flexible synthetic pathway involves a Brown's crotylboration reaction and a Corey–Bakshi–Shibata (CBS) oxazaborolidine-mediated reduction.
[Phillips, A. M. M. M.; Mphahlele, M. J.; Modro, A. M.; Modro, T. A.; Zwierzak, A. Phosphorus, Sulfur and Silicon and the Related Elements, 1992 , vol. 71, p. 165 - 174]