Efficient asymmetric total syntheses of cryptocarya triacetate, cryptocaryolone, and cryptocaryolone diacetate.

Concise and efficient asymmetric total syntheses of three substituted alpha-pyrone-type natural products have been accomplished via 7-9 steps from 5b in high overall yields, which involve linchpin coupling, ring-closing metathesis, and a tandem sequence of deacetylation and intramolecular oxa-Michael addition as the key steps.