The monoterpene diglycoside macrolide, lonitoside 1, is assumed to be
biosynthesized via the intermediate acid secolonitoside 3 which has al
so been isolated from Lonicera nitida E. H. Wilson, We have synthesize
d the methyl ester of acid 3 from D-glucose, L-arabinose and (-)-citro
nellol[via methyl (E,S)-8-hydroxy-2,6-dimethyloct-2-enoate], both as a
formal proof of structure and as an approach to a total synthesis of
the macrolide 1.