In this report we describe an efficient synthesis of (R)-(-)-baclofen, a se
lective GABA(B) agonist used as an antispastic agent. Our strategy is based
on an enantioselective deprotonation of a cyclobutanone easily obtained by
[2+2] cycloaddition of 4-chlorostyrene and dichloroketene. (C) 1999 Publis
hed by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.