A stereoselective synthesis of ([plus-minus])-methyl jasmonate

A short convergent synthesis of (+)-methyl jasmonate(l) is presented. The key step involves a nucleophilic B-alkylation, then an electrophilic a-alkylation on enone 6. The reaction is highly stereoselective and regioselective. Methyl dehydrojasmonate (7), an immediate precursor of methyl jasmonate(l)was obtained by cleavage of the ketotriester 11 in one step.